SuperSport, the pay-television broadcaster that operates in sub-Saharan Africa, has acquired rights to the Pro14 ahead of the debuts of South African teams the Cheetahs and Southern Kings in the club rugby union competition this weekend.
The length of the deal was not disclosed, but it will commence with the Cheetahs’ opening match against Ulster in Belfast, Northern Ireland, which will be broadcast live on SuperSport 1 today (Friday).
The Kings debut against reigning Pro14 champions the Scarlets in Llanelli, Wales on Saturday, a game which will also be broadcast live by SuperSport 1.
SuperSport will produce select South Africa-based fixtures and take the overseas feed on other Pro14 matches that will be broadcast.
“This is an exciting property that offers an entirely new flavour,” Gideon Khobane, chief executive of SuperSport, said. “There's a particular intrigue in northern hemisphere rugby and to be part of this pioneering change presents an array of possibilities, both for the teams and indeed SuperSport.”
The Pro14 had been comprised of four teams apiece from Ireland and Wales, along with two each from Scotland and Italy, before its expansion.
The Cheetahs and Southern Kings last month moved to the competition formerly known as the Pro12 for its 2017-18 season. The two teams were cut from Super Rugby, which spans Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Argentina and South Africa, in July.