Pick up the pom-poms and cheer on SA rugby

South African rugby is thriving on and off the field, and MARK KEOHANE encourages fans to revel in the success. 

Writing for TimesLIVE, Keohane recalls past struggles — heavy defeats, boardroom scandals and sponsor withdrawals — but argues that those dark days have given way to an era of dominance.

The Springboks, back-to-back World Cup winners, are the world’s best Test side, built on Rassie Erasmus’ astute player identification. Keohane is confident that South Africa’s player depth will ensure competitiveness for years to come, with the 2027 and 2031 World Cups firmly in sight.

He emphasises that commercially, the game has never been stronger. Sponsors are eager to align with the Boks, supporting national pathways, sevens and the women’s game.

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Keohane highlights the eight-match All Blacks tour to South Africa in 2026 as another major milestone, reinforcing the sport’s global significance. The sport is in a celebratory space, and he urges fans to appreciate the moment.

“These are particularly special times for South African rugby, on the field and in relation to sponsors. The good news story can’t be told enough. Repeat it please,” he writes.

“There have been some awfully dark times since the Springboks returned to international rugby in 1992.

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“South Africans and the world knew just how dark those days and nights were because of the saturated media coverage of the ills in the sport. And rightly so.

“But things are very different now and if there was no hesitation to throw the bricks, there is no crime in picking up the pom-poms and doing the cheerleading.

“South African rugby, on so many levels, is getting it right, on the field and off it.”

Photo: @Springboks/Twitter