Communications Minister Solly Malatsi said getting more people in South Africa to watch sports will be critical to growing the industry.

Speaking at the Sport Business Forum on 15 October 2026, the minister said the country should ensure that access to live matches in person or on TV is within reach of as many residents as possible.

“For sport to grow, more people need to watch it — be it at the stadium or on a screen,” he said. “It cannot be that only the elite or urban citizens have access to the stars who bring us so much joy.”

To support this, Malatsi said the expansion of digital infrastructure and the introduction of more affordable connectivity were vital.

“We have to ensure sport does not become elitist, with only the well-heeled being able to connect as fans,” Malatsi said.

As it stands, some of South Africa’s biggest sports events, including Springbok and other international rugby matches, remain exclusive to MultiChoice’s DStv Premium package.

Given that the package is priced from R699 per month, it remains out of reach for many South African residents.

The broadcaster has, on some occasions, sub-licensed live Springbok rugby matches to the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).

While the pay-TV broadcaster recently restructured its package offering and launched a dedicated sports package, sports like international rugby remain reserved for Premium subscribers.

“Premium is still the home of Springboks rugby, Formula 1, cricket, golf, football, and all the entertainment DStv has to offer,” DStv said.

The dedicated sports package replaced DStv Compact on 17 September 2026 and retained its pricing of R399 per month on DStv Stream and R479 per month on decoder.

It also retained the entertainment content available on DStv Compact and added various sports channels, such as SuperSport Events, Blitz, PSL, Premier League, La Liga, Football, Cricket, and Schools.

Cutting South African data costs by 60%

One of the key factors that could increase access to sports content is reducing connectivity costs in South Africa.

The Minister recently revealed that his department aims to cut mobile data costs by 60% by the end of 2029. He noted that data prices had already fallen by 35% to 40% since 2025.

“The Department has prioritised the affordability of data and digital communications as part of the government’s goal of ensuring affordable and meaningful connectivity,” he said.

He explained that the goal of reducing data prices by 60% formed part of his department’s Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP).

Malatsi noted that while the MTDP set a target to reduce data prices, his department’s Annual Performance Plan for 2026/27 did not include a separate annual percentage target.

“It contains a measurable annual target under Programme 6: Digital Society and Economy to finalise a market analysis study for the Cost to Communicate Programme during 2026/27,” he said.

“The study will assess pricing, competition, cost drivers, and affordability in the communications sector to inform interventions aimed at reducing communication costs.”

He added that his department would continue to monitor data prices and affordability to assess progress towards the MTDP target.

Malatsi’s department also published a new tender in August 2026, through which it seeks service providers to carry out an investigation into South Africa’s mobile data prices.

It said the study would identify the drivers of high data, voice, and device costs and would be conducted over six months.

“The service provider will produce a comprehensive report detailing the policy and strategic choices required to address the high cost of communications,” the department said.

“It shall include an analysis of the current and future state of communication costs (such as mobile, fixed data, voice calls, SMS, devices, and OTT services), as well as consumer behaviour.”