{"id":9550,"date":"2025-06-11T14:08:11","date_gmt":"2025-06-11T12:08:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/?p=9550"},"modified":"2026-03-12T10:31:02","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T08:31:02","slug":"springboks-camp-bold-kit-fresh-faces","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/springboks-camp-bold-kit-fresh-faces\/","title":{"rendered":"Springboks Camp: Bold Kit, Fresh Faces and a Few Comebacks"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The Springboks\u2019 alignment camp ahead of their mid-year internationals has certainly raised eyebrows \u2013 not just for the exciting blend of experience and youth on the field, but also for a rather bold change in their training attire that\u2019s sparked plenty of chatter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-kit-that-s-turning-heads-for-all-the-wrong-reasons\">A Kit That\u2019s Turning Heads \u2013 For All the Wrong Reasons<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A few years ago, a former Springbok famously fumbled a well-known expression during a Currie Cup broadcast, describing an incident as \u201ca sore sight for eyes\u201d instead of the usual \u201ca sight for sore eyes.\u201d Ironically, that botched phrase fits perfectly when it comes to the Boks\u2019 new-look training kit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Gone is the clean, all-green kit fans had grown used to. In its place is a bright design featuring green with an aggressive gold zig-zag pattern across the chest. Throw in the red, blue and white branding of headline sponsor Pick n Pay, and the visual impact is enough to make purists wince. The online reaction on Monday, when the Springboks gathered to kick off preparations for the upcoming Tests, was swift and humorous \u2013 with fans joking the kit could double as a hazard warning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The first day of camp for the <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Springboks?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#Springboks<\/a> \ud83d\ude0d<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/ForeverGreenForeverGold?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#ForeverGreenForeverGold<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/SzXhiHmard\">pic.twitter.com\/SzXhiHmard<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Springboks (@Springboks) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Springboks\/status\/1932061481589174431?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">June 9, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-4187847265\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-welcome-in-welcome-back\">Welcome In, Welcome Back<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite the controversy over the apparel, there was plenty to smile about as some seasoned Springbok stalwarts made their return to the national setup after lengthy injury spells, along with a host of promising new talents aiming to make their mark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the most significant returns is that of towering lock Lood de Jager, who hasn\u2019t played for the national side in over two years after a heart condition forced him to miss the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Back in training and looking sharp, De Jager\u2019s presence is a timely boost, especially with the team having endured a depth crisis in the second row throughout 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another key figure returning to the mix is Faf de Klerk. The fiery scrumhalf was sidelined for much of the season following a thigh injury sustained during the Ireland series, but he too is back in the frame and eager to reassert himself in a crowded scrumhalf department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-fresh-blood-for-the-green-and-gold\">Fresh Blood for the Green and Gold<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has also opened the door to nine uncapped players, signalling a period of regeneration as <a href=\"https:\/\/iol.co.za\/sport\/rugby\/springboks\/2025-06-10-springboks-alignment-camp-old-faces-new-faces-and-a-kit-thats-a-sore-sight-for-eyes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the Boks<\/a> look beyond their seasoned core. Among them are Neethling Fouch\u00e9, Vincent Tshituka, Juarno Augustus, and Cobus Wiese \u2013 all of whom have been grinding hard in local and overseas competitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But it\u2019s Ntokozo Makhaza, the only member of the squad without professional experience, who stands out as a real wildcard. The talented utility back from UCT\u2019s Varsity Cup side could be a surprise package should he get a chance to debut during the upcoming fixtures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-923221524\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-busy-test-calendar-on-the-horizon\">Busy Test Calendar on the Horizon<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Springboks will first take on the Barbarians at Cape Town Stadium on 28 June, before hosting Italy and Georgia in July. The alignment camp is the first real opportunity for Erasmus and his coaching staff to assess form, fitness and combinations after a demanding start to the year for many of the players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With veterans such as Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, Damian de Allende, and Cheslin Kolbe all part of the mix, the coaching staff will have no shortage of leadership options as they prepare to transition into a new cycle. However, much of the attention will remain on how well the new players integrate and whether they can handle the pressures of the international stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-not-just-a-fashion-faux-pas\">Not Just a Fashion Faux Pas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While the training kit might continue to divide opinion among fans, there\u2019s no doubt that this Springbok camp is about far more than appearances. With critical Tests on the horizon and a blend of youth and experience vying for selection, this alignment camp could prove pivotal in shaping the team\u2019s future. As always in our country, expectations remain high \u2014 and for the Boks, the journey to 2027 is already well underway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Related article: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/rugby-for-the-rich-springboks-vs-barbarians-tickets-too-pricey-for-fans\/\">Rugby for the Rich? Springboks vs Barbarians Tickets Too Pricey for Fans<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Springboks\u2019 alignment camp ahead of their mid-year internationals has certainly raised eyebrows \u2013 not just for the exciting blend of experience and youth on the field, but also for a rather bold change in their training attire that\u2019s sparked plenty of chatter. A Kit That\u2019s Turning Heads \u2013 For All the Wrong Reasons A<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":9567,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_focus_keyword":"","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"The Springboks\u2019 alignment camp ahead of their mid-year internationals has certainly raised eyebrows \u2013 not just for the exciting blend of experience and youth...","footnotes":""},"categories":[56,64],"tags":[868,1341,2287,873],"class_list":{"0":"post-9550","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports","8":"category-sports-news","9":"tag-rugby","10":"tag-rugby-news","11":"tag-rugby-sa","12":"tag-springboks"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9550","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9550"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9550\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9569,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9550\/revisions\/9569"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9567"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9550"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9550"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9550"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}