Government officially takes some control over Springboks Greatest Rivalry Tour

• The South African government has officially designated the 2026 Rugby Greatest Rivalry Tour as a protected event, giving organisers additional legal protection over branding and procurement requirements.
• The protected-event period runs from 7 August to 12 September 2026, and the designation is being conferred on the South African Rugby Union (SARU) on the grounds that the event is in the public interest.
• The government's involvement has raised concerns from Solidarity, with some arguing that procurement and B-BBEE requirements should not be imposed on an independently organised sporting event, potentially creating unintended consequences for businesses.