VIDEO: Boks have made peace with 'hyper jade' jersey
REACTION: The fans have gone into meltdown mode over South Africa’s new away jersey, to be worn in their World Cup opener against Scotland in Marseille on Sunday.
The Springboks, as the away team, will ditch their traditional green jerseys as part of World Rugby’s policy for colourblind fans at the World Cup.
They will wear their new away strip, first seen against Argentina in the pre-World Cup warm-up match in Buenos Aires.
As was the case then, the reaction to confirmation that they will be in the jersey that is somewhere between hyper jade and turquoise, has not been received well by Bok supporters.
It has been called many unflattering names, including the ‘cool mint’ variety of a famous mouthwash.
However, the coaches and players have accepted the fact that they will not be able to play in their traditional Green and Gold kit.
Assistant coach Mzwandile Stick said the change away from their traditional jersey is not an issue for the team, despite the adverse reaction to the kit.
“It is our away jersey,” he told @rugby365com, adding: “It is official and we have made peace with it a long time ago.”
Stick said the team ‘likes’ the jersey.
(The article continues below the media briefing video …)
“We had a good game,” he said of a 24-13 win in South America last month.
“Our record in that jersey is a 100 percent win rate,” he quipped.
“There is a positive energy about it and we are looking forward to the game.”
The players echoed similar sentiments.
“As long as there is a Springbok emblem on it, I am happy to wear it,” flying wing Kurt-Lee Arendse told @rugby365com.
Centre Jesse Kriel described it as ‘exciting’ and ‘something different’ that is “good for the game”.
“Like Kurt-Lee said, as long as it has the Springbok emblem on, that is all that matters.”
@king365ed
@rugby365com
