The Springboks will wear an all-white jersey with a hyper-jade collar for Saturday’s all-important Rugby World Cup game against Ireland.

In a statement issued on Monday, SA Rugby clarified the reasoning behind the choice and design of the match-day Springbok jerseys.

This comes amid an uproar on social media over the team’s lack of playing time in their traditional green and gold jerseys.

SA Rugby clarified that there was a need to accommodate colour blindness guidelines implemented at the Rugby World Cup.

"The Springbok primary jersey of green and gold is always worn as the first choice whenever permitted. On those occasions where a jersey clash must be avoided, the Springboks may be required to wear an alternate jersey.

“New colour blindness guidelines are in operation at the Rugby World Cup, which have increased the number of occasions on which one of the competing teams is required to wear an alternative jersey.

“South Africa was required to change for Scotland and will do so for the match against Ireland on 23 September," said SA Rugby in a statement.

The statement also warned supporters there would be a need to wear the alternative kits again should the Springboks progress to the knockout stages.

"...And if they are drawn as Team B against a team with a clashing colour, the team will wear the hyper-jade alternate as the first option.

“Jerseys are designed by sports team apparel manufacturers and ultimately approved by the relevant federation.

“All the Nike jerseys provided to SA Rugby were presented to and received the seal of approval from a senior Springbok leadership group as well as SA Rugby management," continued the statement.

SA Rugby claims that the design of the hyper jade jersey was influenced by Ndebele design traditions and its colour, in addition to traditional white, was inspired by the colours of the flora and landscape of South Africa.

 “The Springboks are not permitted to wear the green and gold jersey in every Test match – as much as we would like to.

 The alternative jersey colour is white, but Nike proposed enhancing the plain look with a modern design drawing on various influences in a new combination to appeal to a new and wider audience.  It was presented to senior Springboks, who gave it their seal of approval.”

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