
SA Auto Week to take place in Eastern Cape during October
Despite potential headwinds, South Africa’s automotive industry remains committed to long-term growth and resilience.
- Industry News
- 2 April 2025
The World Cup Rugby Champions, the Springboks, have a new vehicle partner after a three-year deal between the Boks and Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) was announced.
The company’s involvement in sponsorships cover a broad spectrum. This includes the Free State Cheetahs, Kaizer Chiefs, The South African Sports Association for the Physically Disabled (SASAPD), motorsport with the Gazoo Racing Teams, The Comrades, Toyota Gaming-Engine with E-Sports and Cycle Lab, to mentioned a few.
With rugby remaining amongst the top-ten interests of SA consumers throughout the years, there were no surprises when in 2011, TSAM changed from avid watcher to proud backer of the local game and picked its favourite rugby team – the Toyota Cheetahs.
“It goes without saying that Toyota has a strong bond with South African rugby - you can see it in our partnership with the Toyota Cheetahs and Free State Rugby. The future of South African rugby is bright, both domestically and internationally, and we are honoured to drive this new chapter in SA’s sporting journey,” says Leon Theron: Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at TSAM.
TSAM has, over the past 11 years, cemented its legendary support and commitment to local rugby through its partnership with the Cheetahs and the Free State Rugby Union.
So, it is perhaps fitting that the Springboks will play with Toyota as a partner at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on 9 July in the second game in the 2022 Castle Lager Incoming Series against Wales.
Jurie Roux, CEO of SA Rugby, says: “For many years, Toyota has been one of the most trusted motoring brands in South Africa, and to have them on board as one of our new sponsors is a great moment. We are living in particularly challenging times, but it speaks volumes of the value of the Springbok brand that we are still able to welcome new partners; it gives me great pleasure to welcome such an iconic brand like Toyota to the family.”
Despite potential headwinds, South Africa’s automotive industry remains committed to long-term growth and resilience.
South African consumers demonstrated a strong appetite for new passenger vehicles in March, according to figures released by the Automotive Business Council (naamsa).
Just a few days after its official introduction to the South African market, the TopGear SA team, in a convoy of Nissan Navara Warriors, has embarked on a record-breaking expedition into South Africa’s most extreme hinterland.