Sportswire has learned that FNB is set to replace MTN as the new headline sponsor of the Springboks.

SA Rugby announced on Tuesday that MTN will end its highly successful eight-year sponsorship of the Springboks.

MTN renewed its contract with SA Rugby in June 2021, committing to a five-year headline sponsorship that concludes this June. At that time, MTN was also announced as the principal partner of the highly anticipated British and Irish Lions Series tour in South Africa, which the Springboks won 2-1, becoming one of the most talked-about tours.

As MTN departs, FNB is stepping in to assume the headline sponsorship. FNB has been a partner of SA Rugby and the Springboks since 2017 and expanded its sponsorship in 2022 by becoming the principal partner of the Springbok Women’s team, with the bank’s logo appearing on the front of their jerseys for the first time.

FNB’s groundbreaking partnership for women’s rugby in South Africa marked the first time the team had a major sponsor since the women’s XVs program was relaunched in 2018.

While FNB’s logo has previously appeared on the back of the Springbok jerseys, it will now move to the front, replacing MTN, as the back-to-back World Cup champions begin their new season in July.

The season kicks off with two home test matches against Italy: on 5 July at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, and on 12 July at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.

They will then face Georgia on 19 July at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, before beginning their Rugby Championship title defense against New Zealand, Australia, and Argentina.

FNB’s new headline sponsorship raises the possibility of Springbok matches being played at FNB Stadium. However, this year’s home match schedule was finalized before the new sponsorship, and none are scheduled for the iconic venue.

A source within SA Rugby indicated that there are no planned matches at FNB Stadium in the coming years due to scheduling conflicts with the domestic football calendar. The venue is primarily used by Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.

Often, by the time the Springboks begin the Rugby Championship, FNB Stadium is already booked for Chiefs’ home matches. Consequently, the Springboks have not played at FNB Stadium since August 2013, when they defeated Argentina 73-13 in a Rugby Championship match.