For many South Africans, American football can be difficult to place without making a comparison to a sport they already know. Rugby is often the obvious reference point. The physicality, specialised positions and tactical structure provide familiar points of comparison, even though American football and rugby have developed within very different sporting cultures. But as the NFL expands its visibility across the continent, the African story is becoming bigger than the question of what the sport resembles. The 2026 NFL season is now being broadcast across more than 50 Sub-Saharan African markets, with ESPN and ESPN2 providing live coverage throughout the season. In South Africa, both channels are also available through Disney+, giving fans access to regular-season games as well as the postseason. The season opened on September 10 with the Seattle Seahawks hosting the New England Patriots in a rematch of Super Bowl LX. Coverage will continue across the league's Sunday, Monday and Th...