Springbok emblem to be replaced

SOUTH Africa rugby jerseys may sport a flower instead of a Springbok next year after the country's Parliamentary Sports Portfolio Committee decided to ditch the emblem.

Committee chairman Butana Komphela told a radio station that delegates supported the call to have a uniform national sporting emblem and for the Springbok to be replaced by South Africa's national flower, the protea, from next year.

"All the other national teams no longer use the Springbok and the last time the national rugby team runs out with the Bok on their chests will be on the end-of-year tour to the UK," said Komphela.

South Africa take on Scotland, Wales and England next month.

Komphela continued: "The decision has been made and there will be no negotiation and I know that SA Rugby will say that it will result in a huge loss in revenue, but our investigations have actually indicated that the opposite will happen."

The CEO of SA Rugby, Johan Prinsloo, said the governing body had not taken part in discussions because the subject had not been on the agenda. "We do have our own opinion as SA Rugby, and the Springbok is a huge brand, so it would have drastic consequences for rugby if it were to go," he said.