SABC to show Springboks v All Blacks Test nearly two hours late

SABC will televise the Springboks’ Test against the All Blacks on Saturday, but the match will not be shown live. The fixture begins at 17:10 at Ellis Park Stadium, while the public broadcaster’s transmission is scheduled for 19:00.

That gap of almost two hours means the final score could already be known before the match reaches television audiences on SABC 3. Supporters who want to watch the contest as it happens will therefore need another way to follow it.

The decision has disappointed Springboks fans who welcomed the prospect of seeing the national team on the public broadcaster. The delayed slot instead triggered renewed criticism of SABC’s handling of major rugby fixtures.

Some supporters argued that a Test involving South Africa should be available live, particularly because the meeting with New Zealand is one of the sport’s most closely followed rivalries. Others said a broadcast scheduled after the final whistle offered little value to viewers trying to avoid learning the result.

The fixture is between two of international rugby’s leading teams and is expected to attract significant interest in South Africa. SABC’s confirmation means the match will be accessible on its platform, but not at kick-off.

The broadcast on SABC 3 will begin at 19:00 on Saturday, following the 17:10 start at Ellis Park. By then, fans watching the delayed showing may already know how the Springboks and All Blacks have settled their latest Test.