Publications
Partners
Cape Town - South African rugby fans, who cannot afford pay-channel DStv, will only see a little more than half of the Rugby World Cup (RWC) matches live on SABC.
It has been revealed that the national broadcaster will show only selected matches during the tournament in New Zealand.
According to Andisiwe Makinana and Murray Williams in Tuesday's Cape Argus, the SABC will broadcast only 60 percent of the matches live, with 15 percent delayed (28 live and seven delayed). That is 35 of the 48 matches: 20 pool matches live, South Africa's four matches and five delayed; two quarter-finals live and one delayed; one semi-final live and one delayed, and the final live. No mention is made of the third-place play-off.
This means that SABC's viewers will miss out on a quarter of the games.
The SABC will, however, show 22 highlights packages of 48 minutes each.
Communications Minister Roy Padayachee revealed in a written reply to a parliamentary question on Monday that the SABC would not be airing all the RWC matches.
"We are, however, committed to showing rugby and as such have focused all our resources into ensuring we show all of South Africa's games… including, but not limited to, the opening game, two of the quarter-finals, a semi-final and the final, all live, stated Padayachee.
SABC spokesman Kaizer Kganyago said the broadcaster had a contract that promised that "we are showing 75 percent of the games, including the games in which South Africa will be playing".
DStv's SuperSport will broadcast all 48 matches live.
The RWC kicks off on September 9 and concludes on October 23.
It has been revealed that the national broadcaster will show only selected matches during the tournament in New Zealand.
According to Andisiwe Makinana and Murray Williams in Tuesday's Cape Argus, the SABC will broadcast only 60 percent of the matches live, with 15 percent delayed (28 live and seven delayed). That is 35 of the 48 matches: 20 pool matches live, South Africa's four matches and five delayed; two quarter-finals live and one delayed; one semi-final live and one delayed, and the final live. No mention is made of the third-place play-off.
This means that SABC's viewers will miss out on a quarter of the games.
The SABC will, however, show 22 highlights packages of 48 minutes each.
Communications Minister Roy Padayachee revealed in a written reply to a parliamentary question on Monday that the SABC would not be airing all the RWC matches.
"We are, however, committed to showing rugby and as such have focused all our resources into ensuring we show all of South Africa's games… including, but not limited to, the opening game, two of the quarter-finals, a semi-final and the final, all live, stated Padayachee.
SABC spokesman Kaizer Kganyago said the broadcaster had a contract that promised that "we are showing 75 percent of the games, including the games in which South Africa will be playing".
DStv's SuperSport will broadcast all 48 matches live.
The RWC kicks off on September 9 and concludes on October 23.
