SA Rugby President Mark Alexander has expressed his full support for Bafana Bafana on the eve of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which kicks off next month across the USA, Mexico, and Canada. South Africa will open the expanded 48-team tournament against co-hosts Mexico at the historic Estadio Azteca on 11 June. The blockbuster opener

Mark Alexander has pledged to make “hard calls” in the interests of player welfare after being reappointed for a fourth and final term as president of SA Rugby.

Following comments from South African Minister of Sport Gayton McKenzie declaring that he “will not rest” until the Rugby World Cup returns to South Africa, SA Rugby president Mark Alexander and CEO Rian Oberholzer have responded cautiously, highlighting the enormous financial and infrastructural demands involved in hosting the global showpiece.

SA Rugby spent a quarter of its total income directly on the Springboks, Springbok Women, Blitzboks, Junior Springboks and other national teams in 2025, according to the Annual Financial Statements presented to member unions at Thursday’s Annual General Meeting in Cape Town.

SA Rugby and the CANAL+ Group, the parent company of the MultiChoice Group, have concluded the renewal of their multi-year domestic broadcast rights agreement.

Mark Alexander will serve a final four-year term as SARU President after standing unopposed at Monday’s nomination deadline.