VIDEO: Boks happy in Green and Gold, as alternative options go out the window
South Africa received a double dosage of good news ahead of their World Cup quarterfinal encounter with hosts France in Paris on Sunday.
Not only will they be allowed to wave the country’s flag with pride at the game, but they will also play in their traditional jersey.
South Africa’s Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus delivered the most important news of the week – the Boks will not be in the disparaged ‘hyper jade’ jerseys at Stade de France.
That follows after Zizi Kodwa, the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, confirmed on Tuesday that they have instructed the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport to file an appeal against a World Anti-Doping Agency ruling that determined South African legislation is non-compliant with the 2021 World Anti-Doping Code.
That means the WADA plans to ban the Boks from displaying the flag has been put on hold.
Erasmus described the decision as ‘ideal’, but added that even if it went the other way, it would have distracted them much.
“Now we can just concentrate on playing for South Africa,” he told @rugby365com.
“It has also been confirmed that we will wear our normal Green and Gold [kit],” Erasmus added.
“I’m glad to hear that it is sorted out.”
(WATCH as South Africa’s Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus reacts to the news that they can wave the country’s flag and delivers some other #GREAT news for Springbok fans…)
The jersey news will certainly lift the mood of Bok fans, who expressed their repugnance for the alternative kits.
It also emerged that in only one of the quarterfinals – England versus Fiji, who both play in white – there will be an alternative jersey.
In the other games – Wales versus Argentina, Ireland against New Zealand and France versus South Africa – all the teams will wear their traditional jerseys, even where both teams have dark shades.
In two of their pool matches – against Scotland and Ireland – the Boks were forced top wear their ‘hyper jade’ alternative jerseys as a result of World Rugby’s desire to make the game more viewer-friendly for colourblind people.
* To read more about what Zizi Kodwa, the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, had to say about the WADA saga, CLICK HERE!
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