26 Feb 2016
Investec announces a five year extension of partnership with New Zealand Rugby
Investec, lead sponsor of Investec Super Rugby and the Investec Rugby Championship (formerly Tri Nations) in New Zealand have announced a five year renewal of the partnership ahead of the 2016 season.
Investec has three major platforms that harness, develop and showcase rugby excellence: Investec Super Rugby, Investec Rugby Championship (both in New Zealand territory) and the Investec International Rugby Academy (in South Africa, based on the New Zealand formula). The sound partnership with New Zealand Rugby (NZR), along with the professionalism of the players and members, has proved a good match for the ambitions of the Investec brand on a global stage.
Janet Larsen, head of Group Marketing, Investec South Africa, said:
“Our developed relationship and history with NZR has proved invaluable to our brand so it was a natural and easy decision to extend this sponsorship. We couldn’t have picked a better partner to work with to ensure that Investec is positioned as enablers of international rugby.”
Over the past few years, Investec Super Rugby has firmly established itself as the club rugby tournament on the international calendar. Investec’s continued involvement coincides with the expansion of the competition to 18 teams. This includes the newly formed Sunwolves and Jaguares from Japan and Argentina respectively. This will undoubtedly build on the significant interest in the stellar performances of these clubs’ national teams at the recent Rugby World Cup. Their participation will further enhance the competition’s international credentials, provide future stars of the game and deliver new audiences for Super Rugby.
Similarly, games played in the Rugby Championship command a global audience and deliver massive reach. Games played against the World Cup champions on their home soil are among the most anticipated and exciting.
NZR Chief Executive Steve Tew welcomed the recommitment of Investec to the game in New Zealand. He said:
"Investec has been a great supporter of New Zealand rugby since 2009 and we’re delighted that they have extended their relationship through to 2020.
"As we prepare to kick off an exciting, new-look Investec Super Rugby competition, the support of Investec provides a solid foundation to what is arguably the most exciting provincial rugby competition in the world.
"In an age where competition for the attention of fans and the entertainment dollar is fierce, we are grateful that Investec continues to support the Rugby Championship and Super Rugby in New Zealand and that they readily get behind our efforts to promote these competitions”.