Acquisition

14 November 2003

Sage completes acquisition of South African software vendor Softline

Further to its announcement of 1 August 2003, The Sage Group plc today
completed its acquisition of the business and assets of Softline Limited
('Softline'), all necessary conditions of the transaction having now been met.
Softline is a leading provider of business management software in South Africa
and Australia

Enquiries:

The Sage Group plc 0191 255 3000     Tulchan 020 7353 4200                  
                                                                            
Paul Walker, Chief Executive         Julie Foster                           
                                                                            
Paul Harrison, Finance Director                                             
                                                                            
Phil Branston, Investor Relations                                           

Notes to editors:

The Sage Group plc is a leading international supplier of accounting and
business management software solutions and related products and services for
small to medium-sized enterprises. Formed in 1981, Sage was floated on the
London Stock Exchange in 1989 and the Group now employs over 5,500 people
worldwide.