The Vodacom URC has teamed up with Castle Lager – a brand that has stood the test of time – as the official beer sponsor of the championship in South Africa.

The URC has shown remarkable growth since the South African franchises officially joined the competition in 2021.

Over the next three editions of the URC, Castle Lager will bring fans together to enjoy the action – beer in hand – from South Africa’s greatest rugby cathedrals to the comfort of their local pub or in front of the braai, tongs at the ready.

Whether you are cheering for The Pride of Jozi – the Lions – in their quest for a top-eight finish, supporting the Sharks and their star-studded squad, or following the Vodacom Bulls under new coach Johan Ackermann, Castle Lager will be there to celebrate victories and ease the disappointment of defeat. Stormers fans, meanwhile, will get to enjoy Castle Lager while eagerly watching their side attempt to emulate their 2021-22 championship-winning run.

“Castle Lager has a legacy in South African sport,” said Thomas Lawrence, Castle Lager’s brand manager. “We have long-standing relationships with the country’s three major sporting codes – Bafana Bafana, the Proteas and the Springboks – and the URC sponsorship is a natural extension of that. Rugby is part of the DNA of South Africans. Fans have rallied together in recent years to make the URC the country’s best expression of the sport.

“Castle Lager exists to bring fans together around the things they love most; and for South Africans, that’s braai, good times and rugby. This partnership with the URC is about uniting South Africans through the sport.

“At the heart of Castle Lager, is the drive to bring people together, and at the heart of the URC is the drive to bring teams and rivalries together. It made perfect sense for Castle Lager to sign on with the URC, so we can help fans celebrate being South African while celebrating rugby.”

Fans can look forward to a host of Castle Lager activations throughout the URC season. Whether cheering in person or joining the action online, supporters will have plenty of ways to show their colours, connect with fellow fans to make their URC experience unforgettable.

“Supporters can expect the premium fan experiences Castle Lager always delivers,” Lawrence explained. “Expect music, activations, promotions, and socialising with like-minded fans – all with Castle Lager – at venues in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town. Throughout the tournament, Castle Lager will engage fans through limited-edition can designs, making it clear who is cheering for whom.”

The new season of the URC kicks off on Friday, 26 September, with the Stormers hosting defending champions Leinster at Cape Town Stadium. The following day, the Bulls will start their campaign at Loftus Versfeld against Welsh outfit the Ospreys. Castle Lager will be there to enhance the fan experience.

The Sharks and Lions, meanwhile, will be away in Scotland and Ireland for the opening round, facing the Glasgow Warriors and Cardiff, respectively. Fans at Kings Park and Ellis Park will then be counting down the days to October to enjoy the full Castle Lager experience.