Celebrating world-class South African storytelling, SuperSport's acclaimed documentary series Chasing the Sun 2 has earned a prestigious International Emmy Award nomination for Best Sports Documentary. The five-part series, which captured the Springboks' historic fourth Rugby World Cup victory, broke M-Net viewership records while offering an unfiltered look at the team's dramatic, triumphant journey.
SuperSport is thrilled that its critically acclaimed documentary series, Chasing the Sun 2, has been nominated for a prestigious International Emmy® Award in the category of Best Sports Documentary.
This monumental Emmy nomination arrives as the perfect milestone to crown SuperSport's 30th year as a stand-alone channel, reaffirming its legacy as the undisputed World of Champions in storytelling.
The nominations for the 2025 International Emmy® Awards were announced by the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, recognising 64 nominees across 16 categories from a record number of 26 countries, including South Africa.
Chasing the Sun 2 will compete against a strong field, including “Argentina ’78” (Disney+ Original Productions / Pampa Films) and “It’s All Over: The Kiss That Changed the Spanish Football” (You First Originals).
All nominees will gather in New York at the International Emmy® World Television Festival from 21-23 November 2025, with the winners being unveiled on Monday, 24 November 2025.
Chasing the Sun 2 is a five-part documentary series that offers fans front-row seats to the Springboks’ awe-inspiring 2023 journey to their historic fourth Rugby World Cup victory—the most by any country ever.
The SuperSport Originals documentary features never-before-seen footage, interviews with more than 30 players and coaches, and all the highlights from the team’s nail-biting campaign, from a first-game defeat to winning the final.
Directed and executive produced by Gareth Whittaker and produced by T+W for SuperSport, this marks their second International Emmy nomination in three years, following the recognition for "Two Sides" in 2023.
The five-part series premiered on 24 March 2024 simultaneously on M-Net and SuperSport, quickly becoming M-Net’s most-watched show that year, and surpassing the record-breaking success of Chasing the Sun 1.
The series, which is still available to watch on streaming platform Showmax, fearlessly delves into the challenges and controversies of the campaign.
From the devastating injury loss of star hooker Malcolm Marx to the alleged racism controversy involving Bongi Mbonambi, the documentary pulls no punches, offering viewers an unfiltered, behind-the-scenes look at the team’s journey.
𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆: #ChasingTheSun2 has officially been nominated for an Emmy for Best Sports Documentary 🥳🎉#SSRugby pic.twitter.com/fr6PbrVehy
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) September 27, 2025
Led by the charismatic Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus and head coach Jacques Nienaber, the series captures the intensity and bold decisions that defined the team, including the innovative 7-1 bench split in the final against the All Blacks.
Beyond the rugby itself, Chasing the Sun 2 shines a light on the human stories that defined the team.
From the inspirational leadership of Siya Kolisi and Duane Vermeulen to the resilience of Deon Fourie, the brilliance of Kurt-Lee Arendse, the magic of Cheslin Kolbe, and the power of Eben Etzebeth, the series reveals the heart and humanity behind the Springboks’ extraordinary campaign.
With full access to the players and staff, Chasing the Sun 2 offers a raw, intimate portrait of life inside the Springbok camp.
The series would not have been possible without the integral support of the South African Rugby Union (SARU) for granting unprecedented access to the team and for openly embracing the vision behind the documentary series.
And a big thank you also goes to sponsors Betway, Spur, and Toyota, who played a crucial role in bringing the Springboks’ monumental journey to life.
Rendani Ramovha, Director of Content: Sport, English, and Portuguese-speaking Africa for MultiChoice, a CANAL+ company, expressed his delight at the international recognition.
“We are absolutely delighted by this nomination. It is a powerful validation of our commitment to telling world-class stories that resonate with audiences globally,” said Ramovha.
“Chasing the Sun 2 is a truly remarkable production that captures the spirit of a nation, and for it to be recognised on the international stage is a moment of immense pride for everyone at SuperSport and for South Africa.”
The documentary’s global recognition was met with profound enthusiasm by the sport’s governing body.
“This International Emmy nomination is a moment of immense pride for the entire South African rugby community,” said Mr Mark Alexander, President of SARU.
“It affirms that the story of our Springboks’ historic 2023 triumph is one that resonates far beyond our borders. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to SuperSport for their unwavering vision and to T+W for crafting a powerful, unfiltered portrayal of our team’s spirit – one that reflects the soul of our nation and the unity that rugby inspires.”
Director Gareth Whittaker was also beyond thrilled.
“The International Emmy Award is the highest honour bestowed upon any television project, and to see Chasing the Sun 2 nominated on this global stage is an extraordinary achievement,” said Whittaker.
“It is a testament to the power of South African storytelling and to the spirit of the Springboks, whose journey inspired millions around the world. We are deeply proud to have played a part in telling this story.”
Whittaker reflected on the deeper significance of the award.
“This nomination means a whole lot. The better stories we tell of ourselves, the better version of ourselves we become, and that holds true for sports teams, holds true for individuals, but maybe more importantly, it holds true for our country.
“I’m incredibly proud to be South African and to have played a very small part in helping to shape this story of this magical place.”
Watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAtgExpKFjU