SA Rugby to charge unions HEFTY hosting fees for Springboks Tests – report

Local unions in South Africa have reportedly been hit with high hosting costs by South African Rugby for the hosting of Springboks Tests in 2024.

According to City Press reports SA Rugby is looking to recover R85 million with the Bulls and Sharks expected to offer around R15 million whilst the Test in Cape Town and Johannesburg will cost the respective unions R20 million each.

The payouts

R15 million will be made from the remaining two Tests with the Pumas paying R10 million for the Argentina clash and the Cheetahs R5 million for the historic Test against Portugal.

The massive costs have thrown the viability of hosting Springboks Tests into question with some administrators not convinced it produces financial results.

“Due to the high hosting fees, you actually can’t host any Test profitably unless you have a good relationship with the local municipality,” one administrator was quoted as saying. “Since the Test represents an economic boost for your city and region, one hopes your municipality will contribute financially to the guarantee amount that must be paid so that unions can make money from hosting tests.

“Unfortunately, not all franchises have those relationships with their municipalities. One hopes franchises will be informed earlier about the guarantee amounts for the respective Tests going forward.”

New season

The 2024 season has been marked by several changes for the Springboks with mastermind Rassie Erasmus back in the hot seat as head coach after Jacques Nienaber’s departure to Leinster.

Joining the set-up is Irishman Jerry Flannery who worked with Erasmus at Munster and the new assistant coach will take over defensive duties from Nienaber. Felix Jones was another coaching departure which opened the door for former All Black Tony Brown to be drafted in to head up the Springboks attack.

The world champions begin their Rugby World Cup cycle with a clash against Wales at Twickenham before facing Ireland and Portugal in the mid-year Tests. The Rugby Championship follows with the end-of-year tour closing out the season.

Springboks fixtures

Saturday, 22 June: SA vs Wales (Twickenham, London)
Saturday, 6 July: SA vs Ireland (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
Saturday, 13 July: SA vs Ireland (Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban)
Saturday, 20 July: SA vs Portugal (Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein)
Saturday, 10 August: Australia vs SA (Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane)
Saturday, 17 August: Australia vs SA (Optus Stadium, Perth)
Saturday, 31 August: SA vs New Zealand (Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg)
Saturday, 7 September: SA v New Zealand (DHL Stadium, Cape Town)
Saturday, 21 September: Argentina v SA (venue TBC)
Saturday, 28 September: SA v Argentina (Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit)
16/17 November: England v SA (Twickenham, London – date TBC)

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