The new Springboks jerseys designed for the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tour will cost between R1,199.95 and R2,699.95, with the kit going on sale in South Africa on Thursday, 6 August.
The design was unveiled by SA Rugby this week and has been widely welcomed by supporters, many of whom said on social media that they would be prepared to pay for the new shirts regardless of the price.
The jerseys are available through Nike stores, Nike.com and selected Springbok retail outlets.
The most distinctive feature is a subtle, tone-on-tone graphic based on the lyrics of South Africa’s national anthem, Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika. The words are arranged in the shape of the South African flag and appear in all five languages used in the anthem: Xhosa, Zulu, Sotho, Afrikaans and English.
SA Rugby and Nike say the design represents the country’s different voices, histories and communities. The anthem’s words will be displayed across the players’ chests during what has been billed as a unique tour.
On the official Springbokonline retail platform, the replica Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry home jersey is priced at R2,699.95.
The men’s ‘stadium’ jersey costs R1,499.95, while the women’s version is priced at R1,399.90. The Springboks’ Nike jersey for children is available for R1,199.95.
The special design will be worn only in the four Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tests.
“This truly is a Tour like no other and so is this jersey,” said Rian Oberholzer, CEO of SA Rugby.
“Nike have outdone themselves in developing a design that speaks directly and honestly to the motivation of the team and management – they play for the people of South Africa and wear their hearts on their sleeve; now they will wear the words of the anthem on their chests.”
The All Blacks begin their tour against the Stormers on Friday night. The Stormers team is:
Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel (captain), 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Yaqeen Ahmed, 9 Imad Khan, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Hacjivah Dayimani, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Connor Evans, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Andre-Hugo Venter, 1 Vernon Matongo.
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Ruan Ackermann, 20 Keke Morabe, 21 Wandile Mlaba, 22 Dewaldt Duvenage, 23 Wandisile Simelane.
The All Blacks will field:
All Blacks: 15 Josh Moorby, 14 Leroy Carter, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Peter Lakai, 6 Simon Parker, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu (captain), 4 Fabian Holland, 3 Pasilio Tosi, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 George Bower.
Bench: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Ollie Norris, 18 Siale Lauaki, 19 Sam Darry, 20 Ethan Blackadder, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Josh Jacomb, 23 Caleb Clarke.
Readers are also being invited to take part in The South African’s Winter Reader Survey, with a prize of R5,000 on offer.
