Match balls Rhino
Our balloons Rhino page is dedicated to match balls from the British brand founded in 1980, which has built its reputation with clubs. It helps you choose a competition ball based on the players' age, the surface, and the playing conditions, and then maintain it so it keeps its shape and pressure throughout the matches.
The match ball, signed Rhino.
From Tavistock to London, the journey of Rhino
Founded in 1980, Rhino initially specialised in rugby club equipment and was long based in Tavistock, Devon. At the end of 2006, the business was taken over by a management team led by Reg Clark and Martin Johnson, the lock who lifted the 2003 World Cup as captain of England. The headquarters then moved to west London, to Chiswick, with a second base in Cardiff. The brand today supplies clubs, schools, and universities, relying on licensees and subsidiaries in many countries.
The other brands
Match balls are also available from:
All match balls are gathered on the match balls page.
Match ball or training ball, two distinct roles
The match ball focuses on feel and precision: a finely crafted cover, tight and small pimples for grip, a bladder that retains pressure throughout the match, and a stable trajectory when kicked. The training ball prioritises durability, with a thicker covering that can handle repeated sessions on synthetic or muddy pitches. A club thus reserves its match balls for the weekend and uses training models during the week, which are more economical to replace. Keeping match balls from the same series also ensures that kickers have a consistent weight and shape from one weekend to another.
Hand-stitched and integrated valve, the production of Rhino balls
The match balls from Rhino are hand-stitched, panel by panel, a construction that ensures even stitching and a durable shape. On the most advanced models, the valve is embedded in the seam and the bladder is balanced, which stabilises the kicking trajectory and makes passing more precise. The cover combines several synthetic rubbers with a cotton polyester fabric, featuring a textured grain and a water-repellent treatment that maintains grip in the rain. This expertise has led Rhino to supply the match ball for the British and Irish Lions.
Great deals
Great bargains can be found in the great deals, promotions, clearance, sales, and Black Friday. The new arrivals showcase the latest collections, and items shipped in 24h are prepared and dispatched within 24 hours. The key events of the year follow a consistent order: Black Friday in late autumn, the holiday season, winter sales, French Days in spring, then summer sales and back-to-school promotions.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need to break in a new match ball?
Some passing and kicking sessions loosen the cover and reveal the ball's behaviour. Kickers actually prefer a broken-in ball, which they know how it reacts when kicked, rather than a ball just out of the packaging.
What Rhino ball for a twelve-year-old player?
Size four, suitable for players around eleven to fourteen years of age. Lighter and thinner than size five, it fits better in the hand and allows for better passing before moving to an adult ball.
Is Rhino a South African or Irish brand?
No, Rhino is British, with its headquarters in Chiswick, west London, and a base in Cardiff. It works with subsidiaries and licensees abroad, hence its presence in many rugby countries.
What pressure should a Rhino match ball be inflated to?
The World Rugby regulation sets a pressure of 0.67 to 0.70 kilograms per square centimetre at kick-off, which is nine and a half to ten pounds per square inch. A pocket pressure gauge allows each ball to be set identically before the match.
When should you replace a match ball?
As soon as the pimples flatten, the ball deforms, or it loses pressure from one day to the next. An exhausted ball distorts the trajectory of kicks and becomes slippery in the rain; it can end its life in training.
