Technology provider Huawei is proud to announce a partnership with South Africa's top five rugby unions as their official smartphone, tablet & talkband supplier.

Announcing the sponsorship deal today in Johannesburg, Huawei's Product Marketing Director – for South Africa, Yudi Rambaran, said the deal was unique as Huawei sponsorship is the first to involve all of the country's top five rugby teams which includes the Vodacom Bulls, DHL Western Province,the Cell C Sharks, the Emirates Lions and the Toyota Cheetahs”.

In addition, Huawei will also be the official associate sponsor to the Lions with its logo featuring on the sleeve of the team’s jersey. The announcement by the Chinese company is its second sports related sponsorship in South Africa – Huawei is also the official shirt sponsor for local PSL team Ajax Cape Town.

“Adding to Huawei’s sports sponsorship portfolio we believe this new opportunity will allow us to showcase Huawei’s latest technology which will assist the players in tracking and monitoring their performances. It is also evidence of the increasing role that technology plays in the lives of sports stars and their supporters”, Rambaran continued.

Huawei has established a strong presence in the local market built on its technological leadership and commitment to fair and transparent business practices. The rugby sponsorship continues to reflect the brands commitment to the local market and positions it as a responsible corporate citizen that recognises the value of local partnerships.

All the unions will receive the latest smartphone offerings from Huawei for players and management. Huawei looks forward to providing the teams with performance incentives in the form of tablets and Huawei's TalkBand fitness trackers which will be an invaluable monitoring tool for players and management to ensure maximum performance on and off the field.

“We are really excited to have Hauwei on board as a partner of the Toyota Cheetahs.  The technology Hauwei brings, will not only make the players more accessible to the fans, but will make interaction with the fans easier and more immediate,”  Harold Verster, MD of the Toyota Cheetahs said. “Smart phones and the technology offered by Huawei has become an important tool of a modern-day sportsman’s live.”

“Western Province Rugby is proud to add Huawei to our growing international stable of partners. We look forward to integrating the Huawei cellular technology into our brands and building on this commitment into the future,” said Rob Wagner, CEO DHL Western Province Rugby.

The Sharks CEO, John Smit said:  “We are delighted to partner with Huawei as our official smartphone supplier.  Huawei’s core values of teamwork, integrity and dedication is in line with our vision and we look forward to a successful partnership based on growth and mutual success.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Huawei on board as an associate sponsor, with a presence on our match jerseys, for both our Super Rugby and Currie Cup campaigns. Just as Huawei is looking to further expand and connect the world through technology, we believe that rugby and our Lions brand have the opportunity to make the same impact. Hence, combining our two brands was an easy decision. We are looking forward to a fruitful partnership and wish to thank Huawei for their support”, said Golden Lions Rugby Union Chief Executive Officer Rudolf Straeuli.

Barend van Graan, Chief Executive Officer of the Blue Bulls Company: “Great teams are not only built around great performances and culture, they are also built around their associates, partners and sponsors. It is both a privilege and an honour to welcome an amazing brand like Huawei to the Vodacom Bulls family. We firmly believe that this relationship, with one of the global leaders in the technology industry, will add immensely to our brand.”

For many South Africans 'rugby is not just a sport, it's a way of life'. In an ever more connected world, fans can expect to interact with and be part of their favourite teams with the help of Huawei.