African champions take over Australia as Boks and Dricus step up

This weekend, SuperSport brings viewers live coverage of the world champion Springboks facing the Wallabies and Dricus du Plessis defending his UFC title against Israel Adesanya, both taking place in Perth, Australia.

In What World can you experience the passion, power and pride of African athletes like never before?

Your World of Champions, of course, when SuperSport broadcasts the enigmatic Dricus du Plessis defending his UFC title – and the dynamic Springboks taking on the Wallabies. All live, all in Perth, all over one weekend: Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 August 2024.

These two monumental events will thrill sports fans around the world. Dricus du Plessis, known for his iconic line, "Hulle Weet Nie Wat Ons Weet Nie", is set to make history once again. UFC 305 will feature a battle of giants as he squares off against Nigerian-born New Zealander Israel Adesanya, marking the first ever UFC title fight between two African-born MMA fighters.

SA v NIGERIA

Du Plessis hails from Pretoria, South Africa, while Adesanya, born in Lagos, Nigeria, fights out of New Zealand. This bout echoes past intense sporting rivalries between South Africa and Nigeria such as when Bafana Bafana faced the Super Eagles in the Africa Cup of Nations semifinals, and Banyana Banyana competed against the Super Falcons in the Paris 2024 Olympic Qualifiers – all in 2024.

The day before this electrifying UFC match, SuperSport will broadcast the Springboks v Wallabies’ Castle Lager Rugby Championships game on 17 August 2024 at 11:45 SA time on SuperSport Rugby (DStv Channel 211). The Springboks are eager to continue their winning momentum after opening their Castle Lager Rugby Championship campaign with a victory over Australia in Brisbane last weekend.

The next morning (04:00 SA time), the highly anticipated Du Plessis v Adesanya fight will air live and exclusive on SuperSport. Du Plessis will walk into the Octagon accompanied by SuperSport brand ambassador and Springbok captain Siya Kolisi as well as Eben Etzebeth, fellow two-time Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok.

MULTIPLE LANGUAGE COVERAGE

Your World of Champions, SuperSport, is the only place where you can watch both events live, with coverage available in multiple languages, ensuring that fans across the continent can enjoy every moment of the action.

“We are ecstatic that we’re able to bring our viewers two such momentous events that are happening Down Under featuring some of South Africa’s finest sporting representatives in the Springboks and Dricus du Plessis,” said SuperSport CEO, Rendani Ramovha.

“We saw during the opening of the Castle Lager Incoming Series against Ireland at Loftus that the synergy between the Boks and Team Dricus is strong, when the latter led out the rugby team onto the field. This weekend, the Boks will return the favour and accompany him as he aims to defend his title against the formidable Adesanya.

“We, as Africa’s leading sports broadcaster, are thrilled that our viewers will be treated to such an occasion – a spectacle of champions.”

SuperSport made history when Du Plessis won the UFC middleweight title, becoming the first South African to hold a UFC belt. His fight against American Sean Strickland was Du Plessis’ most viewed UFC fight on SuperSport platforms and one of the most popular UFC fights ever broadcast by SuperSport, not least because it was broadcast in three official South African languages: English, Afrikaans, and IsiXhosa, showcasing the diversity and inclusivity of SuperSport’s offering.

UNPLUGGED

Du Plessis also proudly holds the distinction of being the inaugural guest on SuperSport Unplugged, our newly launched Vodcast, marking a momentous and thrilling chapter in our content journey.

All in all, it’s going to be an unforgettable weekend of African sporting excellence from Your World of Champions. Tune in to witness Dricus du Plessis and the Springboks as they strive for ultimate victory on the global stage.

BROADCAST INFORMATION (all time CAT, GMT+2)

Saturday 17 August:

Rugby Championship - Australia v SA – 11:45am kick-off (SA Time) – SS Rugby

Sunday 18 August:

UFC 305 - Dricus du Plessis v Israel Adesanya - From 4am (SA Time) - SS Action / SS Variety 3 - SA

SS Action – ROA