After eight years of partnership, MTN and the Springboks are parting ways, with First National Bank (FNB) stepping in as the new front-of-shirt sponsor for South Africa’s rugby champions.
The FNB logo will now appear on the front of the Springboks’ playing jersey, as well as on the men’s and women’s sevens teams and all age-group teams.
This also marks the extension of their partnership, following their role as the principal sponsor of the Springbok Women’s team for the past three years.
MTN’s sponsorship era saw the Springboks rise to new heights, clinching back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles in 2019 and 2023 under the leadership of Rassie Erasmus and Siya Kolisi. The mobile giant played a key role in deepening fan engagement, investing in initiatives like BokSquad and the Bozza campaign to bring supporters closer to the team.
MTN originally joined as the Springboks’ lead sponsor in 2017, during a difficult phase for the team. Their support coincided with a period of remarkable success, helping cement South Africa’s status as a dominant force in world rugby.
With its sponsorship strategy shifting focus, MTN will now channel its resources into other sports initiatives, including its continued investment in football through the MTN8 tournament.
FNB, already a visible brand on the Springboks’ jerseys, will now take over the prime sponsorship position, marking a new era for the reigning world champions as they prepare for their upcoming international fixtures.
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