Saturday’s Tri-Nations Test at FNB Stadium will be the biggest rugby production in SuperSport history.
A New24 article
Logistically and technically, the match will go beyond anything that has come before with state-of-the-art technology at the hands of a 120-strong staff contingent.
Apart from an ultra-motion camera, which offers slow-motion angles shot at 125 frames per second, the Spidercam will be used for the first time in rugby in the southern hemisphere.
Famously used in the FIFA World Cup, the two-and-a-half ton system will take viewers into the haka for the very first time and will offer unique overhead perspectives on scrum play and the alignment of players.
This will be the first time it is used in SANZAR competition, although it was a feature of the 2007 Rugby World Cup and has also been used at Twickenham.
In addition, SuperSport will make use of a helicopter in the build-up, giving John Smit’s 100th Test match the coverage it deserves.
Matt Pearce and Bob Skinstad will anchor the English commentary and will be joined by the Afrikaans duo of John van Rensburg and Kobus Wiese, plus Kaunda Ntunjwa and Makhaya Jack (both Xhosa).
On-field reporting will be done by the six-man team of Owen Nkumane, Xola Ntshinga, Darren Scott, Ashwin Willemse, Joel Stransky and Breyton Paulse.
The match will enjoy a one-hour buildup, to be followed by the big Currie Cup match of the weekend – the Sharks versus Western Province.
Broadcast Details:
SA vs New Zealand, 5pm, SS1, M-Net and SS-HD.
Sharks vs WP, 7.15pm, SS1, CSN, SS-HD.