Offering fans a relaxed and revealing look at his life and growing career in the land of the rising sun, Jesse in Japan will run across ESPN Africa’s social and digital platforms throughout the year, with a premiere episode each month.

Life beyond the try line

Kriel has been part of the Yokohama Canon Eagles since 2020 and reached a historic milestone in November 2025 when he was appointed the team’s first foreign captain. Jesse in Japan steps away from matchday pressure to capture the quieter rhythms of his life, from training sessions with teammates and recovery routines to favourite local restaurants, neighbourhood errands and moments of downtime. In addition, expect glimpses into differences between Mzansi and Japan, prepping for the next match, gym routines, insights into this exciting league and more.

The series will offer an unfiltered glimpse into how the South African rugby player has adapted to daily life in a new culture, balancing elite performance with curiosity, discipline and the small comforts that make a place feel like home. Jesse’s status as an athlete and rugby professional has grown exponentially in recent years through his successes with the South African men’s national rugby team the Springboks, which he has recently captained, his successes in Japan and his dedicated approach to health and fitness.

“ESPN remains committed to offering viewers cross the continent an unparalleled offering of the very best of US and international sporting leagues,” says Kyle De Klerk, Director of Sports at The Walt Disney Company Africa. “We are delighted to be working with Jesse Kriel to bring Jesse in Japan to viewers, offering complementary programming that gives an insight into the life and career of not only this sporting legend but also the thrilling Japan Rugby League One as he, together with his teammates, create historic sporting moments.”

“I am excited to be collaborating with ESPN to offer rugby fans and viewers the opportunity to be a part of my exciting journey in Japan,” says Jesse Kriel. “The series is an invitation to celebrate the food, culture, people and of course rugby action that I have am lucky enough to be a part of in the Japan Rugby League One and beyond.”

JRLO Exclusive to ESPN Africa

The prestigious Japan Rugby League One features a number of South African sporting icons such as Faf De Klerk, Cheslin Kolbe, Kwagga Smith, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Malcolm Marx  and Pieter-Steph Du Toit.

As the Japan Rugby League One season unfolds, only on ESPN, the series will track Kriel’s journey as the competition builds towards the finals in June. Viewers can catch the action on ESPN (DStv 218, StarSat 248), on ESPN2 (DStv 219, StarSat 249), and on Disney+ in South Africa with two live games every week and repeat broadcasts to ensure that no big moment is missed.

This new agreement complements The Walt Disney Company’s recent media rights agreement to bring the UEFA Women’s Champions League to Disney+ across Europe, positioning ESPN on Disney+ as the primary destination for fans in these key territories. 

“The UEFA Women’s Champions League is one of the most prestigious competitions in sport, with unmatched global reach,” said Tim Bunnell, Senior Vice President, Programming Acquisitions, ESPN. “This agreement represents another key milestone in our ongoing effort to deliver the most compelling sporting events to fans everywhere. As we expand ESPN’s portfolio of women’s sports, we remain committed to elevating world-class women’s football for global audiences.”

Added Guy-Laurent Epstein, UC3 Co-Managing Director, “We are proud to extend our collaboration with ESPN, a key broadcast partner that shares our ambition to grow the UEFA Women’s Champions League globally. This agreement will bring the competition to millions of fans across key international markets, reinforcing our commitment to expanding the global reach and impact of women’s football.”

The agreement underscores ESPN’s continued commitment to women’s sports, adding the UEFA Women’s Champions League to an unprecedented portfolio of women’s sports available on ESPN – The Walt Disney Company sports brand – globally. This growing lineup includes UEFA Women’s EURO 2025, WNBA, NWSL, Women’s Super League, Liga MX Femenil, Women’s Basketball Championships, Women’s College World Series, Women’s Volleyball, Women’s College Gymnastics Championship, and more. Through strategic rights acquisitions and programming over 45 years, ESPN has been a driving force connecting fans to women’s sports.

The UEFA Women’s Champions League will debut a new 18-team league phase format in the 2025-26 season. Following the official draw on September 19, the league phase kicks off Tuesday, October 7, featuring six matchdays through mid-December. Knockout rounds begin in February 2026, with the season concluding at the Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo, Norway, in May.

On ESPN, a world of sport awaits Disney+ customers with the National Rugby League in Australia (Aussie Rules) and Japan’s Rugby League, plus top European football action including the Scottish Professional Football League, English Football League, Dutch Eredivisie, German Football Association Cup and Turkey’s SüperLig, along with the Saudi Pro League.

ESPN 2 brings the biggest American sports, showcasing the NBA (National Basketball Association), NFL (National Football League), MLB (Major League Baseball) and NHL (National Hockey League), along with women’s and college competitions such as the NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League), NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) and ESPN College Football. 

Both ESPN channels also broadcast studio shows capturing the latest news and analysis from across American sport and football including “ESPN FC”, “First Take”, “The Pat McAfee” Show” and “SportsCenter”. Critically acclaimed and celebrated documentaries and original programming are also available, including ESPN’s award-winning library of 30 for 30 films.  

Says Diego Londono, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Networks & Sports, The Walt Disney Company EMEA: “At Disney, we are committed to delivering world-class sports and entertainment to customers across the region. The launch of the ESPN Africa linear channels on Disney+ in South Africa reflects our strategy to reach sports fans across multiple platforms and connect with new audiences, bringing iconic sporting moments together with the expansive and much-loved entertainment already available.” 

Adds Kyle de Klerk, Director: Sports for The Walt Disney Company Africa: “ESPN’s unparalleled content offering will provide Disney+ customers with access to the greatest historic and live sports programming from some of the most iconic leagues and events in the world. Fans will be able to enjoy thrilling action right away as the European Football season and the NFL (National Football League), have just launched, with existing milestones to look forward to in 2025 including the start of the NBA (National Basketball Association), NHL (National Hockey League) as well as NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) football and basketball leagues.”   

In addition to Disney+ in South Africa, ESPN is available on MultiChoice’s DStv and StarTimes across Africa.   

The virtual, live re-creation of the Spurs vs. Knicks game will be set on iconic “Main Street, USA” in Magic Kingdom® Park as the teams play while Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Pluto, Goofy and Chip and Dale cheer them on. Shots of “Main Street, USA” and other famous landmarks within Magic Kingdom® Park will be regularly shown, including Cinderella’s Castle.

The storyline behind the Dunk the Halls presentation begins with Mickey’s Christmas wish to Santa Claus to bring the NBA players to “Main Street, USA” at Magic Kingdom® Park at Walt Disney World Resort to play the first animated NBA game on Christmas Day.

Mark your calendar for these exciting games:

Christmas Eve – Sunday, 24 December 2023

• 20:00: ESPN presents a nail-biting NFL showdown (Fixture to be confirmed) in Week 16.
• 23:25: Stay tuned as ESPN delivers another spectacular NFL game (Fixture to be confirmed) in Week 16.

Christmas Day – Monday, 25 December 2023

• 03:15: Kick off your Christmas with an electrifying NFL match between Broncos and Patriots in Week 16.
• 19:00: NBA enthusiasts, gather round for the thrilling matchup between the New York Knicks and the Milwaukee Bucks in the first of many Regular Season games this holiday.
• 20:00: Switch over to ESPN2 for a high-stakes NFL clash between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 16.
• 21:30: NBA action continues with the Denver Nuggets facing off against the Golden State Warriors.
• 23:30: ESPN2 brings you another intense NFL battle, featuring the Philadelphia Eagles against the New York Giants in Week 16.
• 00:00: Cap off the day with an exciting NBA game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics.

Boxing Day – Tuesday, 26 December 2023

• 03:00: Catch the NBA heat with the clash between Miami Heat and the Philadelphia 76ers.
• 03:15: ESPN2 airs an intense NFL matchup between San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens in Week 16.
• 05:30: Wind down the day with a thrilling NBA game between the Phoenix Suns and the Dallas Mavericks.

New Year’s Eve – Sunday, 31 December 2023

• 19:00: ESPN2 counts down to the New Year with an exciting NFL matchup (Fixture to be confirmed) in Week 17.
• 21:00: ESPN brings the party with NBA action, featuring the Washington Wizards against the Atlanta Hawks.
• 22:25: The celebration continues with another exhilarating NFL game (fixture to be confirmed) on ESPN2.

New Year’s Day – Monday, 1 January 2024

• 02:20: Start the year right with ESPN2 with an intense NFL clash between the Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers from Week 17.
• 21:00: Hockey fans are in for a treat! ESPN brings the thrill of the Seattle Kraken vs the Vegas Golden Knights in the NHL Regular Season.

Don’t miss a minute of the action as ESPN Africa delivers the best in sports entertainment throughout the festive season. Be sure to get the whole family together for a sports-filled celebration!

The United Aviation Group League of Champions showcases the glitz and glamour of the riding world set against the fierce competition for the ultimate prize in South African show jumping. Combining the bravery of riders, the enormous talent of magnificent horses and strategy of competitors as they compete in one of the only team events on the equestrian calendar, this fast-paced event showcases some of the best equestrian talent and horses the African continent has to offer. The League of Champions features four heights with riders ranging from 18 to 65, who jump against each other and the clock to determine who can clear the obstacles with the fastest time and the fewest errors.

Jonathan Wolpe, CEO of the United Aviation Group, sponsor of the United Aviation League of Champions shares: “We are passionate about South Africa, our sportsmen and women and giving back to the equestrian profession. Having ESPN Africa broadcast the United Aviation League of Champions ensures that we can take the excitement of this event to the next level, and through this broader reach, we look forward to growing the ULC to the broader African equestrian community.” 

Expressing his excitement about the announcement Kyle De Klerk, Director: Sports of Africa at the Walt Disney Company Africa comments: “We are delighted to be broadcasting the United Aviation Group League of Champions this May. This distinguished event will bring additional diversity to our already unparalleled sports programming.”

Showcasing a diverse range of the continent’s best boxing talent and sanctioned by Boxing South Africa (BSA), ESPN Africa Boxing events take place on a monthly basis on Thursday evenings. With five main fights per event, and two undercard bouts on each bill, ESPN Africa Boxing features male and female boxing talent from across Africa. The September event is the 21^st iteration of the series.

The fights are broadcast live on ESPN Africa (DStv 218, Starsat 248) catering to the immense popularity of the sport on the continent, as well as on several broadcast partners across the globe. ESPN delivers a high-quality boxing viewing experience with premium broadcast production, accompanied by all of the fanfare behind the scenes.

Play.co.za enters the market this September as an innovative new gaming and betting platform, offering fans eSports, Live Dealer Games, Lucky Numbers, and Betgames. Additional offerings include promotional bonuses for partaking in major tournaments and loyalty incentives for playful fans.

“As a playful and community-driven brand looking to disrupt the local gaming market, our goal is to form strategic partnerships with right-fit organisations that not only resonate with our audience, but that share our values as a premium online entertainment platform. We look forward to collaborating with a prestigious tournament such as ESPN Africa Boxing in showcasing our continent’s talent and building relationships with avid boxing fans,” says JP van der Spuy, Founder and CEO, Play.co.za.

“ESPN is known for bringing the most exciting sporting moments to sports fans across the continent and ESPN Africa Boxing is just one prime example,” said Kyle De Klerk, Director: Sports Commercial and Business, The Walt Disney Company Africa. “We are thrilled to be collaborating with Play.co.za on this popular and exciting franchise.”

Directed by BAFTA award-winner Daniel Gordon (“Hillsborough,” “George Best: All By Himself”) and produced by Academy Award-winner John Battsek (“Searching for Sugarman,” “One Day in September”), the documentary tells the story of the South African Paralympic sprinter and international hero, who had inspired millions with his determination and dedication – and who was then suddenly at the centre of a murder investigation. The circus that surrounded the tragic death of Reeva Steenkamp became just as much a story of the time as his initial rise to glory.

“The Life and Trials of Oscar Pistorius is the culmination of an exceptional year of work from ESPN Films,” says  said Evert van der Veer, Vice President, Media Networks, The Walt Disney Company Africa. “This latest entry in the iconic 30 for 30 library is another example of  how ESPN continues to build on its legacy as the home of the best storytelling in sports, joining films such as LANCE, Be Water, Long Gone Summer and more, which we are thrilled to be bringing to audiences across the continent.”

Featuring interviews with more than a dozen of the figures closest to the story, the film recounts Pistorius’s fall from grace after killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in the wee hours of 14 February 2013 in his home in Pretoria, South Africa. According to Pistorius, the event was a tragic accident, but his troubled past and questionable testimony cast doubt on his innocence. As the saga unfolds, the story flashes back to the very beginning of the future Paralympic star’s life, chronicling his improbable ascent from a young boy who had both his undeveloped legs amputated as a toddler to overnight teenage phenomenon at the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games. Shattering records and convention, “The Blade Runner,” as he became known, then went on a quest to compete against able-bodied athletes at the Olympics. His struggle against international track and field officials continued for years before Pistorius finally prevailed and competed at the London Olympics in 2012. Less than a year later, he was in a South African courtroom, accused of murdering his girlfriend.

“The story of Oscar Pistorius is remarkable in its complexity. It’s at once inspirational and harrowing, and provides a lens of insight into a breadth of issues – from gender based violence to disability rights, racial inequality and media frenzy,” said director Daniel Gordon. “My hope is that the film gives audiences additional context and layers to a story they think they know.”

Broadcast information

ESPN (DSTV 218)

• Part 1: Thursday 19 November at 20:00. Repeat on Sunday 22 November at 20:00
• Part 2: Thursday 26 November at 20:00. Repeat on Sunday 29 November at 20:00
• Part 3: Thursday 3 December at 20:00. Repeat on Sunday 6 December at 20:00
• Part 4: Thursday 10 December at 20:00. Repeat on Sunday 13 December at 20:00

The films will also be available to view on DStv Catch Up and the ESPN Player App.

The agreement will result in two 24-hour ESPN channels being made available to DStv customers from 29 July, where we will be able to enjoy the very best of US sports. The channel is essentially making a comeback and fellow sports fans will recall that it used to be available as part of the pay channel offering a few years ago.

Featuring every major US sport as well as European football, fans across the continent can now look forward to popular premier American leagues including the National Basketball Association (NBA), National Football League (NFL), National Hockey League (NHL) and Major League Baseball (MLB), via ESPN & ESPN2. The channels will also feature live football from the English Football League (EFL), Scottish Premier Football League (SPFL), Dutch Eredivisie and Major League Soccer (MLS), as well as local sports including the West African Football Union (WAFU) Cup of Nations and featured boxing tournaments and events.

DStv customers can look forward to the much anticipated return of the NBA from the bio-bubble from 31 July, where LeBron James and the LA Lakers renew their city rivalry with the LA Clippers and Orlando Magic take on the Brooklyn Nets. The Major League Baseball (MLB) regular season will also take prominence on ESPN, with fixtures between the Oakland Athletics and Colorado Rockies (29 July), and a stunning triple header for the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees from 1-3 August.

“As Africa’s leading video entertainment platform, we are unwavering in our commitment to ensure that we continue to find the best available content to delight our customers, both now and into the future. We endeavour to deliver both world-class international content as well as the very best in local content, giving our loyal customers a never-ending selection of outstanding entertainment,” says MultiChoice Group CEO, Calvo Mawela.

“From reliving the greatest moments in sports history to seeing those moments being made, ESPN’s compelling content and unique personality will be a complementary addition to MultiChoice Group’s sports offering,” says Christine Service, Senior Vice President and Country Manager of The Walt Disney Company Africa. “We are thrilled to be bringing the achievements and triumphs of both international and local athletes, our quality storytelling and innovative programming to a whole new audience of sports fans in Africa.”

Together with the live sports programming, we will also be able to catch up on the very latest films, series, news, talk shows and highlights from ESPN’s iconic sports documentary and studio programming.

“In addition to being the home of American sports, ESPN is equally well-known for its dedication to great storytelling, something we as Africa’s most-loved storyteller can identify with,” concludes Mawela.

Sports fans will agree that this is really huge news and another big win for Dstv. For broadcast details then feel free to go here.

Leading the slate is LANCE, which features unprecedented access to Lance Armstrong through raw interviews and personal perspective on his controversial story. The two-part film is directed by Marina Zenovich (Fantastic Lies, Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind). Part’s one and two will be premiere on ESPN at 21:00 on Saturday 30 May and 6 June respectively, as well as being made available on demand on ESPN Player.

Bao Nguyen’s film Be Water, an intimate and very personal look at the life and purpose that motivated Bruce Lee, the martial artist trailblazer and pop culture icon, will debut on ESPN at 21:00 on Saturday 13 June, as well as ESPN Player.

Both films received acclaim at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.

LANCE directed by Marina Zenovich

From acclaimed director Marina Zenovich, LANCE is a fascinating, revealing, comprehensive chronicle of one of the most inspirational – and then infamous – athletes of all time. Based around extensive interviews and conversations with Lance Armstrong, the two-part, four-hour film tells the story of the cyclist’s rise out of Texas as a young superstar cyclist; his harrowing battle with testicular cancer; his recovery and emergence as a global icon with his seven consecutive Tour de France titles; and then his massive fall after he was exposed in one of the largest doping scandals in history.

Armstrong, along with a collection of teammates, friends, rivals, and journalists, all reflect on his story, creating a fascinating character study, capturing a unique chapter of sports history, and insisting the audience make its own interpretations about the many different sides of a complex saga.

Be Water directed by Bao Nguyen

In 1971, after being rejected by Hollywood, Bruce Lee returned to his parents’ homeland, Hong Kong. Over the next two years, he’d complete four iconic films that would define his legacy, a legacy cut short when he died, stunningly, in the summer of 1973. He was 32 years old.

Be Water is a gripping, fascinating, intimate look at not just those final, defining years of Lee’s life, but the complex, often difficult, and seismic journey that led to Lee’s ultimate emergence as a singular icon in the histories of film, martial arts, and even the connection between the eastern and western worlds.

The film chronicles Lee’s earliest days, as the son of a Chinese opera star born while his father was on tour in San Francisco, and then raised in Hong Kong over what became an at times troubled childhood. Sent to live in America at the age of 18, he began teaching Kung Fu in Seattle, and established a following that included his future wife, Linda. His ambition ever rising, Lee eventually made his way to Los Angeles, where he strove to break into American film and television. There, despite some success as a fight choreographer and actor, it was clear Hollywood wasn’t ready for an Asian leading man – and so he returned to Hong Kong to make the films that would in fact make him a legend, his international star skyrocketing just as his life was cut short.

Be Water is told entirely by the family, friends, and collaborators who knew Bruce Lee best, with an extraordinary trove of archive film providing an evocative, immersive visual tapestry that captures Lee’s charisma, his passion, his philosophy, and the eternal beauty and wonder of his art.

The series, directed by Jason Hehir (“The Fab Five,” “The ’85 Bears,” “Andre the Giant”), chronicles one of the greatest icons and most successful teams in sports history, Michael Jordan and the 1990s Chicago Bulls, and features never-before-seen footage from the 1997-98 season as the team pursued its sixth NBA championship in eight years.

In the fall of 1997, Michael Jordan, Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf and head coach Phil Jackson agreed to let an NBA Entertainment film crew follow the team all season long. The result would be a remarkable portrait of an iconic player and a celebrated team – a portrait only now being revealed, more than two decades later, in The Last Dance.

As the series weaves its way through the tumultuous 1997-98 season, viewers will be transported back to how it all began – from Jordan’s childhood roots, the Bulls’ dire circumstances before Jordan’s arrival and how the team was built after drafting Jordan in 1984, to the struggles that eventually led to the team’s first NBA championship. As the series takes the audience through the Bulls’ first five championships, viewers will experience the off-court challenges, struggles and triumphs that were a part of the culture-shifting phenomenon created by Jordan and the Bulls.

It’s an unlikely scenario that serves as a fascinating backdrop for the inside tale of the 1998 championship run, with extensive profiles of Jordan’s key teammates including Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman and Steve Kerr, head coach Phil Jackson, and featuring dozens of current-day interviews with rivals and luminaries from basketball and beyond. All throughout, the tension and conflict that defined that final championship run are very much on display.

“Michael Jordan and the ‘90s Bulls weren’t just sports superstars, they were a global phenomenon,” said director Jason Hehir. Making ‘The Last Dance’ was an incredible opportunity to explore the extraordinary impact of one man and one team. For nearly three years, we searched far and wide to present the definitive story of an era-defining dynasty and to present these sports heroes as humans. I hope viewers enjoy watching our series as much as we enjoyed the opportunity to make it.”

The result is one of the most fascinating sports documentary series ever produced  – a series of viewers won’t want to miss. The full episodic documentary will debut on Netflix outside of the U.S. and on ESPN in the U.S. as follows:

• Monday, 20 April – 12:01 a.m. PT – “The Last Dance” Episodes 1 and 2
• Monday, 27 April – 12:01 a.m. PT – “The Last Dance” Episodes 3 and 4
• Monday, 4 May – 12:01 a.m. PT – “The Last Dance” Episodes 5 and 6
• Monday, 11 May – 12:01 a.m. PT – “The Last Dance” Episodes 7 and 8
• Monday, 18 May – 12:01 a.m. PT – “The Last Dance” Episodes 9 and 10

Taking that a step further, the company has confirmed that it has acquired the multiyear rights to broadcast the National Basketball League (NBA) across the African continent, which started effectively on 14 February 2020, exclusively on paid TV in English on ESPN and ESPN 2.

Considered the top basketball league in the world and featuring the world’s most talented players, the NBA is the latest to be added to ESPN’s already iconic and popular league and sporting event lineup from the United States and across the globe.

Sports fanatics and just pure fans of the sport alike can look forward to regular-season games, the NBA Playoffs and the Conference Finals, as well as the peak of the basketball calendar, The Finals, the NBA’s annual championship series. For the remainder of the season, fans will be able to watch live games per week on Fridays and Sundays, including Friday ESPN double-headers and the NBA Sunday games.

Additional programing will include the broadcast of the NBA Draft in June, where each NBA team can select eligible players from across the U.S. and the globe to play in the league. With more games, specials and events being lined up – including exciting programming created especially for fans in Africa – viewers have one destination to watch all the NBA action.

“By securing these rights for Africa, ESPN is able to further its commitment to bringing premier content to audiences and growing the diversity of programming on the channels,” says Evert van der Veer, Vice President of Media Networks for The Walt Disney Company Africa. “We are thrilled to share in the passion and excitement of this league with fans across the continent.”

The action on ESPN and ESPN 2 is now freely available to follow. You can also add to that by following further action on http://africa.espn.com, and @espnafrica on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.