Case Study
New Zealand Rugby Implements SAP SuccessFactors
New Zealand Rugby Union Incorporated (NZR) governs rugby in New Zealand, overseeing the sport from grassroots to international levels.
With 800 employees, including 180 in corporate roles, NZR supports and promotes New Zealand’s national teams, the All Blacks and Black Ferns. Integral to New Zealand’s culture, NZR needed to modernize its HR infrastructure to support its mission better.
Its outdated systems hindered key processes like recruitment, onboarding, and employee data management, which were labor-intensive and prone to error.
Business Challenge
NZR’s HR systems were outdated, fragmented, and heavily manual, complicating payroll, recruitment, and Onboarding tasks. This setup caused delays, data inaccuracies, and potential compliance risks, hindering effective employee management. A streamlined, unified system was essential to align NZR’s HR processes with its values and goals while enabling better organizational responsiveness.
Project Goals
NZR outlined several primary goals:
- Replace time-consuming manual tasks with automated, digital workflows.
- Centralize and unify HR data for easier access, enhanced compliance, and reduced errors.
- Enhance employee experience with a self-service system for profile and leave management.
- Integrate HR operations with NZR’s cultural values, reinforcing its identity within the HR function.
“The impact of SAP SuccessFactors on New Zealand Rugby has been nothing short of transformative. With a centralized system in place, employee data is now accurate, accessible, and current. Recruitment and onboarding processes have been streamlined, creating a positive experience for candidates and new hires.”
– Kristy Donbavand, People and Capability Manager, New Zealand Rugby Union Incorporated
Chosen Solution
NZR selected SAP SuccessFactors, implementing Employee Central, Recruiting, and Onboarding modules to establish a comprehensive HR platform.
SAP SuccessFactors provided a customizable, efficient, and centralized solution, replacing spreadsheets and manual processes with a single, integrated system for managing employee data.
Why Rizing?
New Zealand Rugby chose Rizing for its cultural alignment and expertise in SAP implementations. Rizing’s IMPACT™ methodology, combining SAP Activate with proven HR leading practices, guided NZR through a smooth implementation.
Rizing provided ongoing support, helping the HR team quickly master the new system and adapt it to NZR’s unique needs. Their continuous involvement ensured minimal disruption to daily operations while maximizing the system’s benefits.
“By centralizing HR operations and automating key processes, SAP SuccessFactors frees up valuable resources, allowing New Zealand Rugby to focus on what matters, developing world-class athletes and growing the game.”
Eva Knauf, People and Capability Advisor, New Zealand Rugby Union Incorporated
End Result
SAP SuccessFactors transformed NZR’s HR operations, creating a more efficient, accurate, and engaging HR environment. Key results included:
- Streamlined Processes: With 100% adoption of employee self-service, NZR eliminated manual forms and significantly reduced HR administrative time.
- Improved Access and Compliance: A centralized, real-time data platform enabled quicker, data-driven decisions and improved regulatory compliance.
- Enhanced Employee Experience: Self-service access to profiles and leave requests simplified workflows and improved employee engagement.
- Scalable, Future-Ready HR: NZR’s modernized HR system now supports future growth, with plans to expand into learning and performance management.
Through this partnership, NZR and Rizing modernized HR and set a new benchmark for sports organizations integrating advanced HR technology to support strategic and cultural goals.
100%
Physical recruiting and onboarding forms eliminated
3
Manually maintained spreadsheets replaced with live reports
100%
Use of employee self-service, reducing HR efforts
Customer Story
Listen as the New Zealand Rugby People and Capability staff discuss the implementation of SAP SuccessFactors and how it benefited their organization.
Launch Day Photos
