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Chasing the Sun 2 – A Story for South Africa – the captivating and award-winning sequel to Chasing the Sun became the most-watched series on M-Net in 2024.
South Africans showcased their preferences through their viewership, demonstrating that the peak experience during M-Net’s iconic movie night (DStv channel 101 at 20h00) was reliving Captain Siya Kolisi and the Springboks’ thrilling Rugby World Cup victory in 2023, marked by heart-stopping close victories in the tournament’s critical rounds.
First airing in March 2024, the series swiftly attracted hundreds of thousands of viewers every Sunday night for five consecutive weeks. Over the course of the year, the docuseries emerged as a beloved source of entertainment, surpassing well-known Hollywood hits and shows like Fast Charlie, Chicago PD, and The Rookie.
In its genre, Chasing the Sun 2 outperformed globally recognized series such as White Lies, The Day of the Jackal, Penguin, and FBI.
Directed by Gareth Whittaker, Chasing the Sun 2 was a joint effort between SuperSport, SA Rugby, and produced by T&W, with sponsorship from Toyota, Betway, and Spur. Like its predecessor, the sequel has received widespread critical acclaim and garnered numerous awards.
Byron du Plessis, CEO of MultiChoice SA, noted: “Chasing the Sun 2 represents how exceptional storytelling resonates deeply with South Africans. The enthusiastic reception to this series illustrates our viewers’ passion for sports and DStv’s ability to bring these moments to life. This type of content differentiates us – stories that inspire, unite, and remind us why sports are central to our nation.”
SuperSport gained unprecedented access to the Springbok locker room and training sessions, building anticipation as fans eagerly awaited the strategies employed by then-head coach Jacques Nienaber and Rugby Director Rassie Erasmus in leading the team to back-to-back victories.
“It’s a tremendous honor for SuperSport to significantly contribute to the storytelling commemorating such a crucial moment in South African sports history. We pride ourselves on narrating inspiring sporting tales that unite all South Africans,” stated SuperSport CEO Rendani Ramovha.
“This motivates us not only to persist in our current endeavors but also to continuously raise our benchmarks, reflecting the efforts of our heroes who returned from France with the Webb Ellis Cup again, having previously won it in Japan four years earlier. This remarkable achievement illustrates the power of well-told sports stories – something we at SuperSport take pride in – along with the strength of our partnerships.”
Mark Alexander, President of SA Rugby, shared: “It’s truly heartening to see the reception for Chasing the Sun 2, which brilliantly highlights the Boks’ glorious second World Cup win in France in 2023.
“Just like in 2019, the Boks have once again united everyday South Africans. However, this time, the drama unfolded differently during the playoffs, featuring three consecutive nail-biting one-point victories.
“We feel immense pride in the Boks’ achievements over the past six years and equally proud of our collaboration with SuperSport and T+W. Together, we have vividly brought these awe-inspiring stories to life, showcasing the strength and solidarity of South Africans.”
Local storytelling has become a cornerstone of SuperSport’s content strategy, driven by the demand for African narratives.
The M-Net Sunday night movie slot has been a staple for DStv viewers for decades, establishing family traditions in numerous homes. Weekly premieres of both international and local blockbuster films and series on Sundays at 20:00 have consistently delighted many. The way Chasing the Sun 2 captivated its audience highlights its ability to transcend sports and connect with viewers beyond just rugby enthusiasts.
The Chasing the Sun 2 docuseries also excelled in engaging audiences, generating over 40 million digital impressions and 598 million total social media impressions.
This narrative for South Africa received two honors at the Sports Industry Awards for Campaign of the Year and Audio & Visual Content of the Year Awards in 2024.
Whittaker, CEO of T+W, remarked: “It’s a remarkable accomplishment when entertainment merges with significance. What viewers experienced in Chasing the Sun was a nation believing in its potential to excel globally – not just in rugby, but also in filmmaking, engineering, art, and business. That’s why the series resonated so deeply. South Africans recognized their capacity to be the best in the world.”
Robust commercial partnerships emerged from the series, featuring Toyota, Betway, and Spur, taking the show to new commercial heights.
Mark Rowles, Head of Marketing at Betway, expressed: “As proud partners of the four-time world champions, it’s an honor to contribute to narrating this profoundly inspiring story that resonates with the entire rainbow nation. Chasing the Sun 2 reinforced the connection the Springboks maintain with the country and what they represent. We are grateful to SuperSport for giving us the platform to share the narrative of this extraordinary journey towards back-to-back world titles, and we look forward to being part of many more inspiring stories for South Africa’s sports fans.”
Vuyo Henda, Chief Marketing Officer at Spur, stated: “Spur and the Springboks have been creating happiness for South African families for years. Through our Spur Kids Mascot Program, where young fans meet their rugby heroes, we celebrate our shared love for the sport and our country while inspiring future generations. This shared passion made it easy for Spur to support the Springboks on their historic quest for their fourth Rugby World Cup victory – a journey beautifully captured in Chasing the Sun 2. We are immensely proud to be the official restaurant partner for both the Springboks and Chasing the Sun 2 and be a part of this unforgettable story.”
Leon Theron, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Toyota South Africa Motors, remarked: “The success of Chasing the Sun 2 is outstanding! This docuseries fostered a deep sense of belonging and community, unique to South Africa. Stronger together, we were all inspired to pursue journeys of hope, resilience, and breaking barriers. At Toyota South Africa, we are delighted to have played a part in sharing the Springboks’ story with the nation.”
From the controversy regarding the “7-1” bench split to the fiercely contested flyhalf position and multiple thrilling comebacks that kept viewers on the edge of their seats, Chasing the Sun 2 was destined for great acclaim. The series fulfilled its promise, once again highlighting the power of sports and storytelling—expertly executed by SuperSport, your world of champions.
Chasing the Sun 2 – A Story for South Africa – is available on DStv CatchUp
