Another kit clash expected for Ireland v Springboks
SPOTLIGHT: The opening weekend of the November internationals will see Ireland host South Africa for the first time in five years but a contentious pre-match decision has already caused a firestorm.
Chief rugby correspondent at the Irish Independent, Ruaidhri O’Connor, has reported that the home side will wear their navy blue ‘alternate’ kit against the Springboks, which will cause a kit clash against the Springboks’ dark green.
The IRFU has confirmed that Ireland will be wearing their navy blue jersey against South Africa, who’ll be wearing their dark green kits.
Once again, rugby not doing itself any favours with this stuff pic.twitter.com/dlzw5OhF8K
— Rúaidhrí O’Connor (@RuaidhriOC) November 1, 2022
The last time the two sides played in 2017 a similar situation played out with Ireland donning a greyish dark tone alternate jersey which was similar to the Springboks’ dark green kit.
The baffling decision has not gone down well with any fans who are sick of kit clashes in rugby.
Ireland’s alternate kit arguably presents a worse clash than the original emerald green, which at least is a light shade compared to the Springboks’ darker shade.
One fan wrote: “It was a disaster five years ago and it will be a disaster again”. Another claimed the game was already ‘ruined’.
This is embarrassing.
The only time Ireland would even wear an alternate jersey is against South Africa – what a great opportunity to make a one-off charity shirt in white. But no, they’ll deliberately go out of their way to make this game tougher to watch. https://t.co/Z7QkXCnSXG
— Andrew Forde (@andrewfrugby) November 1, 2022
What is wrong with a white alternate kit? Absolutely crazy stuff.
— James (@jamesmm33) November 1, 2022
Ireland only ever need an ‘aternate jersey’ when playing SA, why go dark and similar colour…
Also, why go with that jersey at all 🤢🤢 https://t.co/1K8X7KYZ76
ADVERTISEMENT— Sam (@sami_sp) October 30, 2022
It was a disaster 5 years ago and it will be a disaster again. World rugby talking about no red/green clashes for the colour blind. Don’t need to be color blind to have trouble this weekend.
— andrewjtracey (@andrewjtracey) November 1, 2022
North of €250 for a pair of bog standard seats and over half a million people watching on Irish TV alone. This simply isn’t good enough. There is no reason whatsoever for it. We’ve worn white numerous times before. https://t.co/wlWgferJCE
— Paddy O’Brien (@Paddy__Paddy) November 1, 2022
Congralutions IRFU, you’ve ruined the game for the fans
— Ryan Berelowitz (@RyanBerelowitz) November 1, 2022
The kit clash will likely go down as another braindead decision by rugby’s administrators if the teams are visually hard to separate on screen.
It remains to be seen whether Ireland can change back to the emerald green in time for the game for the sake of everyone watching.
@RugbyPass
