The Springboks and Ireland will face off for the first time since 2017 in Dublin on Saturday, but look set for another clash of kit colours.
On Saturday, the world champion Springboks will play at a sold-out Aviva Stadium for the first time in five years against an Ireland side that is currently the world’s No 1-ranked Test team.
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However, the occasion has already been slightly tainted by the fact that the hosts will wear a navy-blue kit, which appears to clash with the green and gold of the Springboks.
The IRFU has confirmed that Ireland will be wearing their navy blue jersey against South Africa, who’ll be wearing their dark green kits.
Once again, rugby not doing itself any favours with this stuff pic.twitter.com/dlzw5OhF8K
— Rúaidhrí O’Connor (@RuaidhriOC) November 1, 2022
A similar situation happened in the last meeting between the two nations in 2017, when Ireland wore more of a dark-tone green jersey.
⏪ Last time out against South Africa, we scored four tries in a big win at @avivastadium!
Re-live all the action from the 2017 clash against the Springboks ??#TeamOfUs | #IREvSA pic.twitter.com/mWouc8nycy
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) November 1, 2022
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The potential of another kit clash has caused ire among both fans and journalists.
On this weekend Ireland, the world’s number one ranked men’s side, hosts the World Cup champion Springboks.
As a nation we will invite the eyes of the rugby world upon us.
So, naturally, we will have a kit clash.
WELL DONE EVERYONE FINE WORK.
— Andy McGeady (@andymcgeady) November 1, 2022
? ‘The only time we use them they are completely counterproductive’@MolloyJoe, @McCarthyMick and Richie McCormack are perplexed by the upcoming kit clash with the Springboks | ??
? ‘We’d be better off wearing our home jersey!’
The Newsround w/ @GilletteUK | #EffortlessFlow pic.twitter.com/gGkaIsqIqI
— Off The Ball (@offtheball) November 1, 2022
There’s a host of occasions where Ireland or SA wore white in this clash – why, now twice in recent history, they’re both wearing similar dark colours, is beyond me?
If commercial, why don’t Ireland unveil this horrible kit v Fiji? https://t.co/KLweb20yjc
— Ciarán Ó Raghallaigh (@Ciaran_O) November 1, 2022
Get ready for another round of “How does this happen in a professional sport” this Saturday.
From the moment a fixture is confirmed, everyone can see that there is a potential jersey clash. Yet months roll by and nothing is done.
— Jon Cardinelli (@jon_cardinelli) November 2, 2022
.@mark_keohane and Zels give their predictions for the Boks vs Ireland, and it’s not all smiles for the World Champs… pic.twitter.com/M8nfg4aKUF
— SA Rugby magazine (@SARugbymag) November 2, 2022
