SA Rugby will do everything in their power to convince the SABC that they have to broadcast live rugby matches this year, according to Saru president Mark Alexander.
The national broadcaster is believed to have scrapped rugby broadcasts of live Super Rugby and Currie Cup games in an effort to save money.
“I have been engaging them,” said Alexander, “and will have further meetings next week to ensure we can deliver rugby on radio.
“What I know is that the SABC have identified rugby as an area where they can cut because they are over their budget.
“The SABC board, as far as I know, have not made a decision. But, we have to get rugby back on radio.
“It is the broadest platform for us to take rugby to the people. It is a must, for social cohesion and it is a nation builder. If we cut these people out of the game they’ll walk away from rugby.”
Several SABC stations, among them Radio 2000 and RSG, have broadcast live rugby for years - after acquiring the rights to do so from SuperSport. It is believed SuperSport are again willing to sell the rights to the SABC, but it is understood everything depends on the money available in Auckland Park.
If the SABC do not broadcast rugby on radio it will mean hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of fans won’t be able to follow live rugby in South Africa, with SuperSport holding the TV rights, making the game available only to people who can afford DStv.