The sponsorship agreement between MTN and the Springboks has come to an end after eight years of success. During this period, the Springboks achieved back-to-back Rugby World Cup wins.
MTN SA CEO Charles Molapisi highlighted the significance of the partnership, noting that MTN came in as lead sponsors during a challenging period for rugby in 2017. He emphasised that the partnership was about more than branding; it was about redefining transformation by returning rugby to the people and fostering the spirit of Ubuntu. Molapisi expressed pride in the results achieved and thanked SA Rugby for their faith in MTN.
Mark Alexander, president of SA Rugby, expressed gratitude to MTN for their support over the past eight years. He recalled the call to corporate South Africa to partner with SA Rugby during a challenging time for the sport, which MTN answered. Alexander noted that the partnership marked a golden age for rugby in South Africa, with the Springboks twice visiting MTN’s offices as newly crowned world champions.
Together with SA Rugby, MTN played a key role in raising SA Rugby’s global profile and securing long-term sustainability. MTN committed R30-million to grassroots rugby development in South Africa and invested in fan engagement through BokSquad, the official Springbok supporters club, and the Bozza initiative.
As part of its renewed brand positioning, MTN says it is evolving its sponsorship strategy to explore new opportunities.
