The new Nike-designed Springboks shirts have been unveiled ahead of the Rugby Championship, and they are already a hit with the fans.
SA Rugby announced last year that they had ended their partnership with ASICS and would be supplied by Nike from 2023, after signing a six-year partnership.
The new Nike-designed Springboks kit
On Tuesday, SA Rugby and Nike unveiled the new jersey that will be worn during the Rugby Championship, with the Rugby World Cup kit – following the same design – set to be unveiled next month.
In a statement revealing the new jersey, SA Rugby confirmed that Nike designers worked closely with the team to design a kit that ‘reflects the history of the team and South African culture’.
The classic ‘green and gold’ jersey has been reimagined to include a traditional collar with the underside of the collar giving a nod to the South African flag.
The statement added that ‘as an acknowledgement of the team’s spirit, the phrase “Stronger Forever” is inscribed on the inside collar’.
Nike have also unveiled a ‘bold’ new alternative jersey which ‘pays homage to the local culture through the patterned print and the colourway was inspired by and celebrates the hues of the local nature’.
New Springboks jersey home and alternate
There are also ventilation mesh panels in key areas of the kit that also improve performance by increasing air circulation to the players’ bodies and regulating their temperatures.
Reaction to the Springboks’ new jersey
The reaction to the new jersey has been well-received by Springboks supporters, although some are not sold on the alternate kit just yet.
“Home kit is very very good. The ventilation panelling though gives strong 2007 vibes (and not in a good way). It will probably not feature in the supporters version. It takes away from it. Away kit: Good idea, maybe would’ve been better in another colour (and with a collar),” Thala Msutu tweeted.
Another reaction simply read, ‘A beaut’ while influencer Kooks Kuhle said it was ‘Worth the wait’.
One fan aptly responded by saying, ‘Nike just did it’ playing on the company’s slogan ‘Just do it.’
Another gave the jersey a 9/10 and added that it is going to be a date night favourite.
“Spot on! Damian Willemse is going love this one. MTN is a bit on an eyesore, but nothing can be done about that. Date night drip 9/10.”
Old school collar
Another fan noted: “Not just a collar – a button-down collar!!! Worth the wait. Nike leading from the front with New Jersey’s.”
An Ireland fan was envious of what Nike produced for the Springboks stating: “God that collar is just sexy. We could have had a green jersey like that if our our designer wasn’t colourblind and after an 8 week bender of horse tranquillisers and rock shore.”
Another Irish fan added that they would have bought the jersey already if South Africa weren’t in their Rugby World Cup pool.
“If you have an option of a collar or no collar the correct choice is ALWAYS collar. This is a beaut, and if they weren’t group rivals I’d have it bought already.”
One fan added that they could see the Springboks winning the World Cup in this kit.
“We are bringing back William Webb Ellis with this kit.”
Another said this was the first time in a long time that the Springboks had a better kit than the All Blacks.
“May be the first time I can remember that the Springbok jersey > All Blacks jersey.”
The Springboks kick off their Rugby Championship campaign on Saturday when they host the Wallabies at Loftus Versveld in Pretoria.
READ MORE: All the 2023 Rugby World Cup jerseys as they are released
The article ‘Nike got it right’ – New Springboks jersey is a hit with the fans appeared first on Planetrugby.com.
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