The South African Rugby Union (SARU) on Thursday welcomed the agreement between rights holder SuperSport and e.tv to show the third and final test in the Castle Incoming Tour on free-to-air television.

Saturday’s test between the Springboks and England at a sold-out Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium will be broadcast live on SuperSport 1 and SuperSport HD at 17h00 (English, Afrikaans and Xhosa commentary) and will be broadcast “delayed-live” at 18h45 on SS4 and at 22h00 on e.tv.

“We’re delighted that SuperSport and e.tv have followed up their initiative of last week to make available all 80 minutes of Saturday’s test to all South African rugby supporters, either on satellite or on free-to-air television,” said Jurie Roux, CEO of SARU.

“It was disappointing that the first test was not screened on free-to-air, but the enterprise of SuperSport and e.tv represents a win-win for broadcasters and rugby fans, we believe.”

The arrangement was made following the SABC’s decision not to sub-licence the series. They said they only wished to broadcast sporting events to which they held the live rights. Live commentary on SABC radio is not affected.

Happy Ntshingila, CEO of SuperSport, said that last week’s sub-licensing of the broadcast rights to e.tv had gone smoothly and he looked forward to the same this weekend.

Monde Twala, Group Head of e.tv Channels Division, said: “We are pleased to again be working with SuperSport and are grateful to have concluded a deal.”