Rugby World comes to SA

THE world champion of rugby magazines has entered the South African market following the launch of Rugby World South Africa. The monthly title replaces the high-priced ‘export’ version of the world’s best-selling rugby magazine, making it now available at local prices and with dramatically increased local content.

The launch issue kicks off in style with a cover photograph of John Smit in a 1906 Springbok jersey as the magazine celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Springboks.

Issue No 1 also finds South Africa’s loneliest rugby club; takes an in-depth look at the SA Under-19 side on the eve of the IRB World Championships and introduces fresh new columnists from each of the five Vodacom Super 14 teams.

The new title promises to broaden and deepen existing coverage of local rugby and comes in a larger format than existing sports titles in a cleanly, classical design.

Giant UK publisher, IPC Magazines, a Time Warner company, has licensed their best-selling Rugby World title to Cape Town-based media company, In-Site Media (Pty) Ltd.

Rob Cowan heads up the operation as managing director/publisher, while top rugby writer and broadcaster, Andy Colquhoun, is editor of the new title, "The UK title is the world's biggest-selling rugby magazine and the look, feel and content are what sets it apart," said Cowan.

“Our licence says we have to be at least as good as the UK title so the bar has been set high for us, and both readers and advertisers are guaranteed a product of the highest quality in every respect, each and every month."

The magazine devotes space to each of South Africa’s provinces and an in-depth statistical section, startlingly revealing that the Stormers miss 25 percent of their tackles; the Sharks have to make more tackles than anyone and that Peter Grant is the most accurate place-kicker in the southern hemisphere.

Joel Stransky and Brendan Venter provide expert insight into the game and in a launch issue exclusive Arno Carstens reveals his passion for rugby and recalls his father’s provincial playing days.