The South African Rugby Union (SA Rugby) has officially announced a landmark four-year partnership with Hyundai Automotive South Africa, marking a significant investment in the future of South African rugby. The popular automotive brand is now the official vehicle partner for South Africa’s junior national rugby teams and Youth Week tournaments.
This dynamic partnership will debut publicly when the Junior Springboks take to the field in their opening clash of The Rugby Championship U20 tournament on Thursday in Gqeberha — with Hyundai’s iconic logo proudly displayed on the team’s playing shorts for the very first time.
Hyundai’s involvement extends beyond the Under-20 men’s team to include:
- All junior national teams (both men’s and women’s)
- Associate partner rights for the Youth Week tournaments, including
- Under-16 and Under-18 competitions for boys and girls
“We are thrilled to welcome Hyundai Automotive South Africa to the SA Rugby family,” said Rian Oberholzer, CEO of SA Rugby.
“This partnership is a powerful endorsement of the strength and future of South African rugby, particularly at the grassroots and developmental levels. Hyundai’s support will play a crucial role in helping us nurture the next generation of Springboks and grow the game across all communities.”
This collaboration marks Hyundai’s first official partnership with SA Rugby, and reflects the brand’s growing investment in the South African market.
“We are proud to be driving the future of South African rugby,” said Gideon Jansen van Rensburg, CEO of Hyundai Automotive South Africa.
“At Hyundai, we believe in the power of movement to inspire progress. Supporting youth rugby aligns perfectly with our values of innovation, resilience, and community development. As a family-centric motoring brand, we look forward to being part of the journeys of these exceptional young athletes over the coming years.”
Both organisations have expressed their intent to expand the partnership in the future, ensuring even greater support for young rugby talent across the country. The annual Youth Week tournaments — widely regarded as a launchpad for future Springboks — will benefit from Hyundai’s support, enhancing the experience for thousands of young players nationwide.
The Junior Springboks will debut the Hyundai branding at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Thursday at 16h10, when they face Argentina Under-20s in what promises to be a thrilling start to the tournament.
