Nike and South African rugby unveil the Springboks’ jersey for Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, celebrating the mindset that has shaped one of sport’s most iconic teams. Inspired by competition, resilience and the relentless pursuit of progress that define South African rugby, the jersey honours the journey of a team that draws its inspiration from South Africa and its people. Built around the belief that yesterday doesn’t play today, the design reflects The Springboks’ commitment to continually reinventing themselves in pursuit of what’s next. “The Springboks’ mindset is built on resilience, discipline, humility, and playing for something bigger than ourselves.”
— Aphelele Fassi
At the heart of the jersey is a subtle graphic featuring South Africa’s national anthem, the only national anthem sung in five languages – Xhosa, Zulu, Sotho, Afrikaans and English – representing the convergence of diverse voices, histories and communities. Woven directly into the fabric, the anthem becomes a modern expression of unity and a special, uniquely South African symbol of what the Springboks represent, while the iconic green and gold palette reinforces the pride and tradition synonymous the team.
“We understand that we represent so many people from different backgrounds in South Africa.”
— Jesse Kriel
Created with Nike’s athlete-first approach to design, the jersey combines lightweight performance construction with a fit engineered for the demands of the modern game – featuring Nike FIT ADV, engineered from superior materials and a rigorous testing protocol. Every detail is designed to help athletes move with speed, confidence and focus, enabling The Springboks to play with the adaptability and creativity that have become hallmarks of their success.
“Accountability is massive in our group and that helps with evolving in our game.”
— Grant Williams
The Greatest Rivalry Jersey is more than a symbol of past achievements. It represents a team that approaches every challenge with a fresh mindset – embracing innovation, respecting history and constantly evolving. Like The Springboks themselves, the jersey is a reminder that greatness is not defended; it is earned again and again.
“The Greatest Rivalry is special because of the history and the mutual respect between the two teams.”
— Damian de Allende
“To keep evolving every year as the game evolves too, you need to keep thinking outside the box and bring something different all the time.”
— Cheslin Kolbe