Rugby enthusiasts have a lot to look forward to as the 2023 Rugby World Cup approaches. SuperSport has announced an array of exciting features and in-depth coverage for this seven-week-long event, including a dedicated 24-hour SuperSport channel solely focused on the tournament, where South Africa will defend their crown.
All 48 matches will be broadcast and live-streamed via the new DStv Stream on the Home of Sport, ensuring that fans don’t miss a single moment. To enrich the fan experience, SuperSport will offer dedicated magazine shows and support programming, creating a comprehensive rugby package.
Notably, SuperSport has assembled a team of accomplished analysts, including former World Cup champions such as Schalk Burger, John Smit, Jean de Villiers, Victor Matfield, JP Pietersen, Frans Steyn, Schalk Brits, and Jake White. Joining them will be other rugby experts like George Gregan, Justin Marshall, Hanyani Shimange, Gcobani Bobo, Nick Mallett, Joe van Niekerk, and John Plumtree.
To enhance the viewer experience, a new show called “Mayibuye” will debut on the eve of the tournament. Meaning “bring it back,” Mayibuye is designed to involve the broader rugby community in the World Cup journey, and it will be available to all DStv packages.
Match build-ups will be tailored to the stage of the tournament, with one-hour pre-match analysis for the group stages and quarterfinals, and extended two-hour sessions for the semifinals and final. Post-match analysis will be a regular feature to provide insights and highlights.
The match presentations will be hosted by the talented trio of Motshidisi Mohono, Owen Nkumane, and Sam Ludidi. For linguistic diversity, all matches will have multiple language options, including international English, English, Afrikaans, and Xhosa.
SuperSport is committed to providing extensive coverage, as SS Rugby, available to Premium subscribers, will become a 24-hour channel for the duration of the tournament, offering match replays and additional programming. SuperSport’s embedded crew will provide daily reports from inside the Springbok camp, with exclusive content featured on Blitz’s rolling news channel.
Covering the tournament from the heart of France will be a team of experts, including Matt Pearce, Hanyani Shimange, and the dynamic duo of De Villiers and Burger, who will bring unique insights in their “Burger and Chirps” segments.
For those who want to relive the highlights, DStv’s Catch Up service will offer a dedicated RWC section, including seven-minute and 26-minute highlight packages for each match, as well as full match replays for all South African games and knockout matches.
Xhanti-Lomzi Nesi, senior manager for rugby at SuperSport, emphasized the significance of this Rugby World Cup, with more competitive teams than ever before. As the defending champions and the last team to win in France, South Africa’s journey holds special meaning. SuperSport is committed to bringing viewers along on this remarkable journey, ensuring that fans worldwide can share in the excitement. It’s a testament to the power of unity as they declare, “We are Stronger Together.”
GETTING SOCIAL
SuperSport is gearing up to provide rugby fans with unprecedented access to the inner workings of the Springbok camp during the 2023 Rugby World Cup. This comprehensive coverage will include training footage, exclusive player and coach interviews, team announcement reactions, and the beloved team photo antics.
For a unique perspective on the tournament, follow SuperSport on social media. You’ll get a glimpse of fan content, insights into fan parks, conversations with South Africans in France, and live broadcasts directly from the heart of the World Cup. Additionally, for the die-hard rugby enthusiasts, SuperSport will offer in-depth rugby analysis, statistics, and more.
Rugby aficionados will have the opportunity to test their knowledge with a daily quickfire quiz, which will be available on the SuperSport website and app. This exciting quiz is free to play and offers participants a chance to win daily vouchers and claim the coveted top spot on the leaderboard.
To stay in the loop with all the action, download the SuperSport app, log in, and add the Rugby World Cup and your favorite teams to your watchlist. This will ensure you receive score notifications, enjoy enhanced match coverage, access breaking news, video clips, and much more.
SuperSport is committed to delivering a complete and immersive experience for rugby fans, combining insightful analysis, fan engagement, and exciting challenges throughout the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Don’t miss out on a moment of the action.
🙏 C’était 𝒖𝒏 𝒊𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒃𝒂𝒕 ce soir. Merci les garçons, vous avez tout donné, nous sommes fiers de vous. 🇫🇷#FRAvAFS #UnisPourUnRêve #RWC2023 #XVdeFrance pic.twitter.com/PnyWYu2Rax
— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) October 15, 2023
Fiji’s spirited World Cup campaign began and concluded with defeats, facing tier one nations in exhilarating contests. While the wounds from these battles will take time to heal, coach Simon Raiwalui remains confident in the potential of the Pacific islanders.
The quarterfinal clash on Sunday against England in Marseille resulted in a heart-wrenching 30-24 loss, marking Fiji’s third defeat in five games during the tournament in France. Yet, there is a palpable belief that this team will continue to evolve and excel, with their sights set on the next World Cup in Australia in 2027.
Head Coach Simon Raiwalui’s reaction after the match. #FIJIWaterFlyingFijians #duavataveilomanirakavi #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/i6mcNOxKZm
— Fiji Rugby Union (@fijirugby) October 15, 2023
Coach Raiwalui expressed his pride in the team’s relentless effort, saying, “For 15 weeks these boys have worked hard, and we will celebrate that. We’re hurting now, but I couldn’t be prouder of this group for what they’ve put in. They’ve built something for the next generation of Fijian rugby players, laying a strong foundation for the future.”
