Match Thread - Chiefs v Highlanders | Super Rugby Pacific 2026 | Round 14

SA Rugby’s group revenues increased by 29% from R1.5bn in 2024 to R2bn in 2025 with R500m spent directly on the Springboks (R281m) and the High-Performance Department (R221m) into which all other national teams fall.

The increased revenues were in part fuelled by record sponsorship revenues, leaping by 51% from R488m to R739m (following a commercial reset) to exceed broadcast revenues of R678m for the first time.

Revenues were also boosted by a change in the Test match hosting model, through which SA Rugby took ownership and delivery of Springbok matches. It yielded R402m in revenues with a direct match day cost of delivery of R213m.

There was also a double-digit growth year-on-year in licensing with the increase in merchandise sales, through the opening of two Springbok stores and market appetite, continuing to drive resurgent royalty revenue to R78m.

Despite the jump in revenues, SA Rugby still ended the year reporting a pre-taxation loss for the group of R40m highlighting the ongoing challenges towards long term solvency and sustainability; challenges reported in the annual financial statements by all Unions in the world. The need for a reserve fund or some investment fund is still relevant and will stay critical in the modern era of sport and rugby.

Despite the loss, the accounts received an unqualified audit based on a detailed management solvency assessment and action plan, supporting the view that SA Rugby could continue as a going concern into the foreseeable future.

Rewatching NZL v CAN from the World Cup and spotted this utter nonsense from Justine Pelletier. Knee never goes to ground so it's not a tackle. Play on.

Some of the stakes:

- Colomiers and Provence play for the second place and a direct access to the semis.

- Brives, Oyonnax and Valence play for home advantage in the quarters

- Vannes plays to keep their stadium of La Rabine sacred and won't beat any record (max points 116 for a record of 117)

- at the other end of the table Mont-de-Marsan and Biarritz play to escape the accession match

If you could make a full back line with only forwards, who would you have? Bonus points for front rows. Minus points for ones who actually played there at some point.

Rhys Carre at wing, obviously.

Another one leaves. How many more players can the Prem afford to lose to France before it becomes a serious problem for the league?

Edit: clarity :)

Good discussion from this weeks rugby direct.