SA Rugby and Dell Technologies have something a little unusual for rugby fans attending international matches. The two have teamed up to provide attendees with a virtual reality (VR) experience. Rugby fans and wannabe players can test their skills in a simulated stadium environment to see if they have what it takes to play. Perform well, and Rassie could be calling on you to warm up at half-time.
No, not really.
Rugby but in 3D
This new VR experience forms part of SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux’s new digital initiative to reach a younger, tech-oriented audience. It ties in with the launch of SA Rugby’s digital fan club, Bok Squad.
We don’t really know what it looks like (you have to put what looks like an Oculus Quest 2 headset on for that) but it’s probably at least worth checking out. Right? Keep an eye out for Dell’s popup VR stand if you’re attending upcoming international fixtures. You might not win anything, or get to run on with the ball, but you’ll prove to yourself that you could’ve made the team if you really wanted to.
The partnership between SA Rugby and Dell provides the national team with “digital technology and communication infrastructure” (they gave them laptops). It will also help SA Rugby “achieve its digital transformation goals”, according to a press release.
Doug Woolley, General Manager for Dell Technologies in South Africa, said “SA Rugby has recognised that it needs to accelerate its digital transformation efforts to realise the opportunities that technology offers and is working to embed digital throughout the organisation.”
That’s good news, we guess. It’s all very well the Boks can win their games, well most of them anyway. But when facing a team like the All Blacks, having a technological edge could prove beneficial.