South Africa has made television history. The country has scored a record-breaking five nominations at the 2025 International Emmy Awards, placing it third in the world behind only the UK and Brazil. It’s the most nominations any African country has ever received in a single year.
The standout star is SuperSport’s Chasing the Sun 2, a gripping five-part documentary about the Springboks’ incredible journey to their fourth Rugby World Cup title in 2023. The series earned a nomination for Best Sports Documentary and will compete against productions from Disney+ and other major international players.
Director Gareth Whittaker couldn’t hide his excitement: “The International Emmy Award is the highest honour for any television project. To see Chasing the Sun 2 nominated on this global stage is extraordinary.”
The documentary doesn’t hold back. It shows everything from the team’s crushing first-game defeat to the controversial moments that made headlines, including Malcolm Marx’s devastating injury and the racism allegations involving Bongi Mbonambi. Viewers get unprecedented access to the players and coaches, with never-before-seen footage and interviews with over 30 team members.
What makes the series special is how it captures the human side of rugby. Captain Siya Kolisi’s leadership, veteran Deon Fourie’s resilience, and the magic of players like Cheslin Kolbe all get their moment to shine. The documentary premiered in March 2024 and became M-Net’s most-watched show of the year.
But the Springboks story isn’t the only South African production making waves. MultiChoice secured four nominations total, with M-Net’s hard-hitting documentary School Ties tackling tough stories about learners that sparked national conversations. Play Room Live from DStv also earned recognition in the kids’ category, proving South African content works for all ages.
“We’re incredibly proud,” said Nomsa Philiso from MultiChoice. “These nominations show that local stories, crafted with care and cultural depth, are being recognised globally like never before.”
This isn’t a one-off success either. MultiChoice has now made the Emmy shortlist four years running, racking up 11 nominations over eight years. The company has invested over R8 billion in local content recently, building a massive library of more than 90 000 hours of African stories.
The rugby documentary’s success has thrilled the sport’s bosses too. “This nomination is a moment of immense pride for the entire South African rugby community,” said SARU President Mark Alexander. “It shows that our Springboks’ story resonates far beyond our borders.”
For SuperSport, celebrating its 30th anniversary, this Emmy nod caps off three decades of sports storytelling. The recognition comes as MultiChoice expands globally under new parent company CANAL+, positioning African content for international audiences.
The winners will be announced in New York on 24 November, but South Africa has already won something bigger. These nominations prove that local stories matter on the world stage.
As Whittaker put it: “The better stories we tell of ourselves, the better version of ourselves we become. That’s true for sports teams, for individuals, but maybe most importantly, for our country.”
