The Springboks are all set to face the All Blacks in their second Castle Lager Rugby Championship clash in Wellington, New Zealand, on Saturday, 13 September.
Following the Boks’ 24-17 defeat last week, South Africans across the country will be out in full force, wearing their green and gold jerseys in the hopes it will bring Rassie Erasmus’ men much-needed luck.
On that note, let’s dive into the colourful history of the Springboks’ iconic kit…
SOUTH AFRICA GOES GREEN FOR THE FIRST TIME
The story begins in 1896: the British Isles embarked on a rugby tour to South Africa, which saw the two sides playing four Test matches between July and September. The tourists triumphed in the first three Tests, which would have surely frustrated their hosts.
Up until this point, South Africa either wore white jerseys or the badgeless colours of local clubs on the rugby pitch. This changed when the fourth and final Test took place in Cape Town on 5 September.
Barry Heatlie – who was appointed captain of the South African side for this Test – had previously played for the now-defunct Old Diocesans. Heatlie had a cache of collarless, myrtle-green jerseys left over from the club, so he distributed them to the team.
Clad in their green jerseys, South Africa surprised all in attendance at Newlands Stadium by beating the British Isles 5-0.
In 1903, South Africa – once again captained by Heatlie – would go on to wear these jerseys when they faced the visiting British Isles in another series of Test matches. The first two Tests ended in draws, but South Africa won the third Test 8-0.
THE GOLDEN DAWN OF THE SPRINGBOKS
Viewing the colour as a lucky charm, South Africa continued to wear green in their rugby matches. This carried over to their 1906-7 European tour, which also saw the addition of two famous elements in their kit.
Upon the team’s arrival in Southampton, England, members of the press noticed that the players’ jerseys were fitted with gold-coloured collars. What’s more, the image of a springbok, an African mammal, was “embroidered in mouse-coloured silk on the left breast.”
And so, South Africa – garbed in green and gold, and now nicknamed the “Springboks” – embarked on their 29-match tour. It was a resounding success, with the Boks winning 26 matches, losing two and drawing one.
In the process, South Africa established itself as a formidable rugby team. What’s more, they also formed a distinctive identity that laid the foundation for the popular Springboks brand as we know it today.
THE SPRINGBOKS STAY TRUE TO THEIR COLOURFUL ORIGINS
The Springboks’ primary playing kit has undergone numerous redesigns over the years since its humble debut. However, the green and gold colours remain constant (save for the time the Boks swapped out for that infamous turquoise uniform).
Of course colour scheme clashes do occur from time to time, specifically with similarly clad Australia. Nevertheless, it’s abundantly clear that South Africa will stay forever green, forever gold.
WILL YOU BE WEARING GREEN AND GOLD WHEN THE SPRINGBOKS PLAY AGAINST THE ALL BLACKS THIS SATURDAY?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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