Springboks centre Damian De Allende is pictured here wearing their alternate kit during 2023 Rugby World Cup pool match against Ireland. The Springboks will play in their alternate strip against Ireland during their two-Test series. Centre Damian De Allende is pictured here wearing the kit during 2023 Rugby World Cup in a pool match between the two teams. Picture: Jean-Marie Hervio/KMSP via AFP
The Springboks were talk of the town once more on Friday, and on this occasion before a single crunching tackled had even landed.
The Springboks take on Ireland in the first Test match at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, and will don their distinctive white jersey with teal shorts to match instead of their traditional green and gold jerseys and white shorts
At least it’s not the so-called “Checkers kit”, the outfit that hit headlines during the Rugby World Cup last year, when ardent fans were divided about the Springboks’ “busy” jersey. This was despite it having featured before the World Cup, but had not yet gained such notoriety.
The Springboks posted their team photo on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday morning.
Your #Springboks team for tomorrow's clash against Ireland in Pretoria 🏉![CDATA[]]>🇿![CDATA[]]>🇦#ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/QtB9cb8MzK
— Springboks (@Springboks) July 5, 2024
The alternative kit was used at the World Cup in a bid to increase inclusivity for those with varying degrees of colour blindness.
Of course the Springboks are the home team, and World Rugby’s rules dictate that the home must wear an alternate or different colour strip when the teams’ jerseys clash or are too close to each other.
Ireland usually sport their traditional emerald green coloured jerseys. Though their green jerseys are lighter in hue than that of South Africa, it has always been the case that the home team wears an alternate strip when they meet on the rugby field.
In the lead-up to the match, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus said he had a soft spot in his heart for the Irish, but insisted they were a bit full of themselves during the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Ireland were the only team to beat the Springboks during their triumphant campaign in France last year, beating South Africa 13-7 during the group stage encounter.