The Springboks will ditch green and gold to play France in their white away kit, much to the disappointment of rugby fans. The occasion marks the 100th test cap of captain Siya Kolisi and the 50th test cap as the head coach for Rassie Erasmus.
The Boks will play Les Bleus at the Stade de France on Saturday, 8 November – their first time meeting since the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final.
SPRINGBOKS TO DON WHITE AND NOT GREEN AND GOLD
In a team portrait released on the eve of the match, the Springboks showed off their look for Saturday’s game against France. Unlike other test matches this year, the national team will play in white, in their away kit.
The 2025 edition – under the new sponsors of Nike and Pick’n Pay – was released earlier this year.
With the French team wearing their home kit – blue with a touch of red – why do the Springboks have to wear white?
Unlike football, rugby home teams traditionally change their kit when their colours clash with those of an opponent. Rugby World claims this is extended due to hospitality, logistics, and a sense of goodwill to their guests.
However, this rule is not set in stone and is merely a concession from the home team.
World Rugby states that “in the absence of any agreement to the contrary, the Host Union shall be entitled to wear its home kit.”
In the case of Springboks vs Les Bleus, the home kits are green and gold, and royal blue, respectively. According to rugby fans, the kits do not have a colour clash. In fact, both countries wore their home kits during the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final.
COULD THIS BE WHY?
Although SA Rugby has not explained the reasoning behind selecting the away kit, a few rugby fans believe they know why the decision could have been made.
Saturday’s game will mark Siya Kolisi’s 100th test cap. It will also mark the first time a Springbok has made the milestone in an away kit.
Coincidentally, Siya made his Bok debut in 2013 wearing a white away kit in a game against Scotland, played on home soil.
