Contrary to a report in a Sunday newspaper, the South African national rugby team will continue to use the Springbok as its official emblem and will still be known as the Springboks.
The Sunday Times reported that, ”Rugby’s Springbok emblem is on its way out after almost 100 years”, but on Sunday a Sarfu spokesperson said that was not entirely accurate.
”The Springbok will not disappear from South African rugby,” confirmed Sarfu communications manager Anthony Mackaiser, before adding, ”Sarfu is in discussion with the SA Sports Commission regarding the logo and they, along with the National Colours Board, have given us permission to continue using the Bok emblem.”
”At those talks we will discuss how the King Protea will be positioned alongside the leaping Springbok,” added Mackaiser. ”That is the only issue at the moment.”
Currently, the rugby emblem contains a Springbok leaping towards a protea that encompasses a rugby ball. The most likely change that could occur would see the ball being removed from inside the protea and the protea being repositioned around the Springbok.
”The protea is the emblem of all sport in SA and we acknowledge that, but we will still award Bok colours and will continue to be known as the Springboks.”
The Sunday Times story said that the Sports Commission had ratified a decision by the National Colours Board that rugby be brought into line with all other sports and adopt the King Protea as its official emblem.
Rugby bosses, including union president Brian van Rooyen, have had meetings with the Colours Board, a committee of the commission, over the issue. According to the report, Van Rooyen said he discussed the matter with former president Nelson Mandela on Monday.
In 1995, then president Mandela suggested to the now defunct National Sports Council that the Springbok should be retained in the interests of reconciliation.
The Sunday Times quoted commission chief executive Dr Joe Phaahla. He said: ”In terms of what the team wears on the field and promotion of rugby, if they want to retain the Springbok, that’s their decision. But the blazers and caps and any use of the national symbol would have to reflect the King Protea.”
Phaahla added: ”In the same way that cricket has its own symbol or the footballers are known as Bafana Bafana, rugby can retain the Springbok for itself — but the emblem would have to change.”
In other words, the Springbok will remain exactly where it is, but now it seems the King Protea will feature more prominently.
Sarfu president Brian Van Rooyen was unavailable for comment. – Sapa