If the referees and officials in the BKT United Rugby Championship have looked a little smarter in the opening two rounds, it may be due to an extension of a sponsorship from what was initially South Africa only, but is now also extended to Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Italy.
OUTsurance has announced a significant expansion of its partnership with the URC.
The move builds on nearly a decade of support for URC referees in South Africa, where the Irish-based insurer has long played a key role in elevating the visibility and professionalism of match officials within the competition.
URC referees across all five territories — including South Africa — are now taking to the field wearing OUTsurance’s distinctive green and purple colours, symbolising the company’s growing commitment to rugby officiating on a global scale.
“We are incredibly excited to partner with the URC in Ireland and the Northern Hemisphere,” said Ian Kennedy, CMO at OUTsurance Ireland. “Sport has the power to unite communities and promote values like discipline, integrity and fair play. Extending our support to URC referees in the Northern Hemisphere marks an important milestone — it reflects both the strength of our partnership and the URC’s growing international footprint.”
The expanded partnership will see OUTsurance support referees across 151 matches spanning both hemispheres during the upcoming season.
URC CEO Martin Anayi welcomed the move, saying: “Match officials are the heartbeat of our competition. OUTsurance’s decision to extend their sponsorship is a fantastic vote of confidence — not just in our referees, but in the URC’s global growth and the integrity that underpins every game.”
Image Credit: UNited Rugby Championship
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