Boks, All Blacks to oppose proposed change in playing kit

SA Rugby bosses and their New Zealand counterparts will reportedly not adhere to a new policy that enforces a kit change for the Springboks and the All Blacks.

Daily Maverick reports that World Rugby have officially ratified proposed 2021 guidelines to accommodate people who suffer from colour vision deficiency (CVD), more commonly known as colour-blindness.

Boks in white

It is understood that under this policy, the Boks might have to wear a white strip at this year’s Rugby World Cup if the defending champions play against the likes of the All Blacks or hosts France.

Furthermore, this change means that when the Boks and All Blacks meet after 2025, or even at this year’s World Cup in less than five months’ time, they will never play in their “home” kit.

According to Daily Maverick, SA Rugby have written to World Rugby indicating that it might not follow the protocol demanding light and dark jerseys, with New Zealand Rugby believed to be doing the same.

‘Potential impacts’

“While SA Rugby supports World Rugby’s ambition to make rugby as inclusive as possible, we have serious reservations about the potential impacts the application of the colour-blindness regulations may have, and believe they need further interrogation,” SA Rugby acting chief executive Rian Oberholzer is quoted by Daily Maverick.

This story first appeared on sarugbymag.co.za. It is republished here with permission. For the original story click here.