Nike and SA Rugby have unveiled a limited-edition Springbok jersey for the Castle Double Malt Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Tour, featuring a tone-on-tone graphic of the lyrics of Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika printed in the shape of the South African flag across the chest.
The words appear in all five languages of the anthem — Xhosa, Zulu, Sotho, Afrikaans and English — and the jersey will be worn exclusively across the four RGR Tests, the first of which kicks off at 10bet Ellis Park on 22 August, ending a 30-year wait for a Test series between the two nations.
The design uses Nike FIT ADV construction, engineered for the physical demands of the modern game with a performance fit and lightweight materials.
"Nike have outdone themselves in developing a design that speaks directly and honestly to the motivation of the team and management — they play for the people of South Africa and wear their hearts on their sleeve; now they will wear the words of the anthem on their chests," said SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer.
The jersey goes on sale Thursday 6 August at three price points through Nike stores, Nike.com, and Springbok retail outlets at Sandton, Menlyn Park and Canal Walk.