Rugby's 'Greatest Rivalry' Tour Kicks Off Amid Legal Battle
UKPulse Sport Desk
The 'Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry' (RGR) series between South Africa and New Zealand has begun, featuring a unique tour format and a new Springboks jersey, despite a looming legal dispute over its commercial identity.
- The 'Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry' (RGR) series between South Africa and New Zealand has commenced.
- The Springboks have unveiled a special jersey for the RGR series, to be worn four times.
- The series faces a looming legal battle in South Africa concerning its commercial identity and branding.
The highly anticipated 'Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry' (RGR) series, featuring South Africa and New Zealand, has officially kicked off. The Springboks have introduced a unique jersey for the series, which will be worn four times before being retired.
However, the RGR series begins amidst a looming legal dispute in South Africa. This battle concerns the commercial identity of the series and allegations of unauthorised use of its branding.
The series is a throwback, with New Zealand's men scheduled to play four matches against provincial sides, starting with the Stormers in Cape Town on Friday, in addition to four Tests against the Springboks. The women's teams from both countries will also compete in a one-off Test match.
Why this matters: The commercial success of the RGR series, particularly compared to the British & Irish Lions tours, could influence the future structure of the global rugby calendar and Test landscape.