The Springbok emblem can still be utilised by the South African Rugby Union (Saru), but the King Protea as national emblem will in future be worn on the left-hand side of the national rugby team’s jersey.
This was in line with legislation to be promulgated by the end of the year, it emerged from the meeting between Saru president Oregan Hoskins and his deputy Mark Alexander, and Sports Minister Makhenkesi Stofile in Cape Town on Tuesday.
Hoskins said in a statement that the minister was informed of the earlier decision of the President’s Council to fall in line with national legislation regarding the emblem.
The ownership of the emblem did not come up for discussion, according to Hoskins’ statement issued after the meeting.
”We enjoyed a very positive meeting with the sports minister in which issues of mutual interest were discussed. He explained that legislation requiring the national emblem to be worn on the left-hand side of the jersey of national sports federations will be promulgated by the end of this year.
”The minister also advised us that the commercial emblem of national sporting federations — in rugby’s case the Springbok — can be utilised as federations deem fit so long as that use does not compromise the national emblem.
”The ownership of the Springbok emblem was not an issue that came up for discussion,” Hoskins said.
He will brief the Saru President’s Council of the meeting at an extraordinary council meeting in Cape Town on December 1. – Sapa