Watch VideoDisrespecting the game: Siya Kolisi, fans hit out at scrum ads during Six Nations broadcasts

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi says showing ads in the build-up to scrums is disrespectful to the game after an international broadcaster started showing it during the Six Nations Championship this year. It is a new gimmick they are trying, and while Kolisi weighed in on it, the broader rugby-watching public who followed the Ireland vs France Championship opener also scoffed at the ads that put the game on mute in the background on Thursday evening. “That is really bad, I don’t really want to talk about it,” Kolisi said “The buildup to scrums is part of the game, and I don’t know why people would run away from it.

We say rugby is a game for everyone, but are we now also going to stop and have ad breaks when Cheslin (Kolbe) is stepping people? That is not fair. We want to watch the game.” An X user wrote: “Putting adverts during scrum resets is one of the most disrespectful things a broadcaster could do to a sport.

Awful, awful choice.” Another posted a short message criticising the American sports-style ad: “USA sports coverage arrives in the UK. Awful.” “I’m sorry@ITV, I’m not quite sure what I just saw there, but it looked like you were trying to play an advert side by side with a live sporting event. Please don’t ever do that again,” another wrote in a more measured response. , I’m not quite sure what I just saw there, but it looked like you were trying to play an advert side by side with a live sporting event.