Investec, a leading banking and wealth management services brand, has taken over the title rights to the European Rugby Champions Cup in a five-year deal. The new sponsorship will begin in the 2023-24 season, ending Heineken’s long-standing naming deal with the competition which first began in 1995. The Heineken Cup grew to become the best club rugby tournament in the world, attracting world record crowds to matches and packed out stadia for its finals.

South African clubs have made a huge impression in the Heineken Champions Cup this season, with all three of the debuting sides reaching the knockout stage. Two of those teams – Cell C Sharks and DHL Stormers – have booked places in the quarter-finals after stunning Round of 16 victories, while Vodacom Bulls bowed out at the hands of five-time champions Stade Toulousain.

“As an organisation firmly rooted in our purpose to create enduring worth, we look forward to partnering with the EPCR to create transformational value for spectators, players and communities,” said Abey Mokgwatsane, Investec chief marketing officer.

Investec’s current sponsorship portfolio includes a title sponsorship deal with golf’s South African Open Championship, co-sanctioned by the European Tour and South Africa’s Sunshine Tour, and a title sponsorship deal for the South African Women’s Open

Champions Cup Heineken Investec Rugby South Africa