The Lowveld will be ‘Forever Green, Forever Gold’

The Springbok rugby team launched a new campaign, “Forever Green, Forever Gold”, for their supporters all over South Africa, including those in the Lowveld.

The Springboks will campaign to the conclusion of the next Rugby World Cup in Australia in 2027 under the new rallying cry launched on Monday July 1.

According to a SA Rugby press release, the Boks are asking South Africa to go “Forever Green, Forever Gold” to amplify the team’s demonstration that South Africa really is stronger when its people are together. The team’s existing hashtag, #StrongerTogether, remains unchanged as the umbrella statement of intent. It encapsulates the belief that diversity is a powerful force when aligned, whether of race, language, religion, culture, geography or any other descriptor.

The Springboks won the Rugby World Cup with a team made up of players with five different home languages, and now the team is doubling down on the sentiment by asking South Africa for a lifelong commitment to the principle and all it has come to stand for, by being “Forever Green, Forever Gold”. The new message reflects the instruction Rassie Erasmus gave to his players following the Rugby World Cup victory in France in 2023. Erasmus charged his players to remain true to the spirit of unity, as revealed in Chasing the Sun 1.

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Erasmus said: “Guys, can we go back to South Africa now and not fall back into the trap? When someone talks negatively about South Africa, you just keep your mouth shut and say: ‘Everything’s stuffed up’. Can you say: ‘No, no, no, we can fix it!’ Let’s give this guy a chance, whether you’re a farmer, a teacher, or just a rugby player. Can you take this away from rugby – because people will listen to you?

“Take that negative person aside and say to them: ‘Hey, stop talking crap about our country!’ and say: ‘Let’s make a plan, let’s listen to what this guy is saying.’ Let’s start living #StrongerTogether outside rugby.” And all the players said: ‘Sure, let’s do it!”

The “Forever Green, Forever Gold” call to action is to take the #StrongerTogether message into daily life for all time.

Erasmus added: “The people carried us through that World Cup. Although they weren’t there, we felt them. I just felt let’s give that support back, not just through rugby.”

The Springboks will appear in South Africa for the first time since winning back-to-back Rugby World Cups in the first match of a sold-out two-test series against world number two, Ireland, which begins in Pretoria on Saturday July 6.

Their last home international of the 2024 season will be the Castle Lager Rugby Championship match against Argentina at Mbombela Stadium on September 28.

South Africans are being asked to support the first #BokFriday of the year on Friday July 5 by wearing their green and gold colours in support of the team and its message of inclusiveness and optimism to the country. Those colours are not just the team’s playing colours; they represent the heart and soul of South African rugby, enshrining the enduring spirit of the team and its supporters, symbolising unity, resilience and pride.

The Forever Green, Forever Gold Campaign will be featured prominently in all forthcoming matches, communications and marketing materials. It aims to rally support from every corner of the nation, inspiring fans to stand united in their love of the team.

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi said: “Wearing the green and gold jersey is an honour and a privilege and my heart will forever be green and gold. This new slogan is a message to live the principles of #StrongerTogether in our daily lives, as well as give your commitment to the Springboks forever, in the way that we always strive to give our all for the country.”

To celebrate the launch of the Forever Green, Forever Gold Campaign, SA Rugby promises a roster full of fan engagement moments, including a nationwide school warcry challenge, radio competitions, exciting new merchandise and an inspiring new Rassie Erasmus content series to follow on from the popularity of the documentaries Chasing the Sun 1 and 2.

• The Springboks have won all four matches they have played at Mbombela Stadium.

In 2013, they defeated Scotland 30-17, and in 2014 beat Wales 31-30. In 2016, South Africa played Argentina at Mbombela Stadium and won 30-23.

In 2022, they beat New Zealand 26-10, their first home win against the All Blacks in eight years.

“I hope we made them proud today, because they definitely got us going from the anthem onwards.” – Bok captain Siya Kolisi after the victory over the All Blacks in front of 42 367 fans at Mbombela Stadium.

“The rendition of ‘Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika’ was the most incredible I have ever heard. It was a gooseflesh moment. Listening to the passion with which the national anthem was sung tonight lifted the players. I can only praise the people of Mbombela for their support.” – Former Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber after the same match.