Springboks announce historic change

The South African Rugby Union has confirmed the Springbok emblem will move on the national team's playing jersey to make way for the King Protea.

The team will still be known as the Springboks, but the move was made after a campaign by politicians to get the national symbol to be used by the rugby team.

"The President's Council of the South African Rugby Union on Monday resolved to move the Springbok emblem to the right-hand side of the national playing jersey," a statement from the SARU said.

"The decision was taken to accommodate the application of the National Sports Emblem - the King Protea - and to bring SA Rugby in line with other South African sports federations and planned legislation."

"As a consequence of the change, the Protea that is currently displayed above the leaping Springbok will be removed from the Springbok logo."

SARU president Oregan Hoskins said: "The Council took cognisance of the advice they received from the Sports Minister on pending national legislation and a consensus was reached."

"The possibility of retaining the Springbok on the left-hand side was discussed, as council had not taken a decision on the positioning and legislation remains to be promulgated."

"However, it was the decision of council to avoid confusion by making the move now and to prevent a future necessity of making a second change in due course."