The South African Rugby Union (SA Rugby) has struck a seven-year ball supply partnership with rugby equipment brand Rhino.

A deal between the two parties was unveiled yesterday, through which London-based Rhino will provide match balls at international level for the representative South African national sides in their home matches, as well as for all domestic leagues and cups.

The previous SA Rugby match ball partner was Gilbert.

Specifically, the Rhino Vortex Pro ball will be used at all six home Springboks men’s tests this year.

In terms of its rugby union partnerships stable, Rhino is currently the official training equipment partner for the British and Irish Lions composite touring side (with the last deal to that effect announced in September), as well as for the national federations of Wales and France.

In South Africa, the brand is the training equipment supplier for the Lions and Sharks top-tier franchise teams.

Other significant SA Rugby commercial partners include MTN, FNB, and Nike.

December saw the proposed private equity deal between SA Rugby and US-based Ackerley Sports Group (ASG) voted down by the SA Rugby provincial member unions.

Seattle-based ASG, it had been reported, would have been willing to invest $75 million in return for a 20% stake in SA Rugby’s commercial rights.

Of the 13 member unions with voting rights, seven voted against the proposal in Cape Town on December 9, meaning it failed to come close to the 75% approval mark (10 out of 13 votes) necessary to pass.