The Ebrahim Patel Community Cup (EPCC) 2026 has announced a groundbreaking broadcasting agreement with SABC Sport and Heritage Broadcasting Network, marking a significant advancement for community rugby in South Africa as the tournament approaches its April kickoff.
This new broadcasting partnership is a major step for grassroots rugby, ensuring the tournament receives extensive national coverage. Fans can look forward to live match broadcasts, highlights packages, player features, and community storytelling segments available across both television and digital platforms.
Tournament director Romano Lekay expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “This partnership is a breakthrough for community rugby. Our players will now have a national stage, and our clubs will gain valuable exposure to support their long-term sustainability.”
The agreement cements the EPCC’s position as one of South Africa’s leading showcases for community rugby, granting unprecedented visibility to the participating clubs and their players.
In addition, tournament organisers confirmed that Blanco United RFC has been officially included as the eighth and final team, rounding out the competitive roster for the 2026 edition. This George-based club, known for its strong community ties, enhances local representation and brings additional competitive spirit to the tournament. “Blanco United truly embodies the tenacity and dedication of community rugby. Their participation enhances both the tournament’s competitiveness and its local roots,” Lekay noted.
It’s important to note that Crusaders RFC has withdrawn from the EPCC 2026 due to a commercial conflict with existing sponsorship agreements. The EPCC adheres to strict exclusivity provisions for its sponsors, ensuring the integrity of commercial partnerships throughout the event. While clubs can feature one local sponsor on their playing kits, such sponsorships must not conflict with official tournament partners.
For instance, if a tournament has exclusive sponsorship from a banking institution, competing banks cannot display their branding during matches, protecting the financial agreements in place.
These principles are consistently upheld across all participating clubs to ensure the tournament remains commercially viable and aligned with its development goals.
Launch Date Approaches
The official launch for EPCC 2026 is set for Thursday, February 26, at the Fancourt Luxury Golf Estate in George. The event will include a live tournament draw, team kit reveals, the announcement of main sponsors, and a showcase of the broadcast partnership.
This milestone event marks the beginning of what organisers promise to be the most impactful EPCC to date. The tournament is scheduled to take place over the Easter weekend, from Thursday, April 2, to Monday, April 6.
