22 Jan 2009

South Africa change rugby jerseys for Lions tour

3:42 pm on 22 January 2009

The South African rugby side will use a new jersey with the national and Springbok emblems when they meet the British and Irish Lions later this year.

The South African Rugby Union says the national King Protea flower will be on the left side of the shirt and the controversial Springbok antelope on the right.

The national rugby team has used only the Springbok emblem since 1906, fuelling anger among some members of the ruling African National Congress party who consider it a painful reminder of the apartheid past.