Xerox Golden Lions era to start

The Xerox Golden Lions will run out in navy blue jerseys as they kick off their ABSA Currie Cup campaign against the Vodacom Blue Bulls at Ellis Park on Saturday August 9. The kick-off is at 17:05.

The match, which will mark the Golden Lions Rugby Union’s 125th anniversary, will see the Xerox Golden Lions forgo their standard white jersey with the red strip in order to commemorate this special occasion.

The jersey will be unveiled at a 125 year celebration banquet, to be held at Ellis Park this evening. Guests will include past and present players, staff and administrators as well as supporters and sponsors who have all been involved in building the GLRU legacy.

The navy jersey is known to be the inaugural Transvaal jersey, first officially registered in the 1895 Currie Cup. These were the colours of Diggers Rugby Club at the time.

The switch to the white and red jersey was only made in 1933 and these colours have remained ever since.

One of the prize items to be auctioned at this evening’s event will be a replica of the inaugural navy jersey, which will include the names of all Golden Lions players who went on to represent the Springboks. The jersey will also list the names of the individuals who represented South Africa prior to 1991, but who were discriminated against due to race.

Xerox, who was the first official Golden Lions sponsor since 1993, will sponsor the event.

GLRU Chief Executive Officer, Rudolf Straeuli is proud to see the Union hosting such a significant occasion and wishes to thank Xerox for their continued support.

“A special word of thanks must go out to Xerox, who were the Golden Lions’ very first title sponsor when I was still playing for the Union,” said Straeuli.

“Xerox sponsored our team in 1993, when we won the Currie Cup, and we are immensely grateful that they have come on board to work alongside us during this year’s tournament and for this important milestone year.”