Why The Springbok is on the sleeve
The Springbok emblem which up until now has always been seen on the front of the Sou
th African national-team jersey will be moved during this year’s World Cup in New Zealand. Instead it will be seen on the left sleeve as the International Rugby Board require their own logo to be placed on the front of jerseys.
Dr Jan Marais, chairman of the South African Rugby Union executive council said: “The decision was very straightforward in the end as our attempts to find a place for the Springbok on the front of the jersey failed to find favour, we were left with no choice, and the important point to note is that this application will only be for IRB World Cup events. He explained that a maximum of three marks are allowed on the front of a team jersey at IRB World Cup events: a nation’s national emblem (on the left breast), the event mark (right breast) and the logo of the apparel sponsor (centre).The IRB’s regulations and those of the National Colours Act are both clear and, although we held discussions to look at options, the cleanest solution was to put the Springbok on the sleeve on its own.”
The Springbok emblem is one of the best known in world rugby and had been moved to the right of the jersey in recent years. So South Africa’s general sport symbol, the king Protea could be placed on the left.
Related Posts
« Vodacom Super Rugby Semi-final Preview – DHL Stormers Vs Crusaders Pine Pienaar joins Bulls with Heyneke at head of professional structures »
