South African Breweries has renewed its sponsorships with SA Rugby for another five years.

The partnership ensures Castle Lager remains the title sponsor of the incoming tour in June, the Rugby Championship and the outgoing tour. SAB is also an associate sponsor of the Super Rugby competition.

'SAB has been a loyal partner to SA Rugby dating back to the days when rugby was an amateur sport, so it gives me great pleasure to continue our association with them,' SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux commented.

SAB’s founding brand, Castle Lager, began its association with SA Rugby and the Springboks in 1997 when it took over from another popular SAB brand, Lion Lager. In 2000, SAB signed a four-year co-sponsorship deal, which saw Castle Lager take over as the Springbok sponsor.

The brand later signed a contract in 2011 as the title sponsor for the then Tri-Nations, now the Rugby Championship, and the Springboks’ incoming and overseas tours, traditionally in June and November every year.