blog - coda.coza » springboks

Why Bafana Bafana have to rebrand for 2010

coda — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 14:03:35 +0000

I found the below extract from an article posted on BizCommunity quite interesting. Why Bafana Bafana have to rebrand for 2010:

Bafana Bafana, meaning Boys, Boys, was coined by three Sowetan sports reporters in 1992, shortly after the readmission of South Africa to world football. According to Neil Tovey, captain of the winning 1996 Africa Cup of Nations team, who was present at the time, "We were doing well and we were rookies in football, and that's what it means."

On the other hand, the nickname 'Springboks' originated during the first tour of the South African Rugby team to Britain in 1906/7. At an impromptu meeting, the tour manager, officials and captain Paul Roos invented the nickname to prevent the British press from coining their own nickname. Roos told newspaper reporters that they were to call the team 'De Springbokken'. The Daily Mail then printed an article referring to the 'Springboks'. The team thereafter wore blazers with a springbok on the left breast pocket.

More on the name changes: Mbeki urges consideration of new team names

South Africa give England the boot

coda — Fri, 05 Dec 2003 19:57:33 +0000

So it's no RWC, but hey! - satisfying enough: South Africa take Dubai crown after giving England the boot.

South Africa captured the Dubai Sevens 2003/4 crown by beating New Zealand 26-19 in a pulsating Cup final to take an early lead in the IRB Sevens race for 2003/04. The enthralling display saw the South Africans become the first team to wrestle the Dubai trophy from New Zealand, who were going for their fifth consecutive triumph.

New Springbok emblem

coda — Tue, 15 Apr 2003 16:22:35 +0000

SARFU unveiled it's new logo structure today, designed to bring it in line with new National Colours Regulations introduced by the SASC. The revised brand hierarchy includes a new SARFU identity as well as a revamp of the Springbok logo.

The National Colours Regulations recognise the King Protea as the National Symbol for sport in South Africa and, in rugby's case, the combination of the King Protea and the Springbok.

UPDATE: Marketingweb have posted an article about superstitious fans who believe the Springbok in the logo is leaping in the wrong direction: read Leaping to conclusions

Bokke joke

coda — Thu, 21 Nov 2002 11:34:25 +0000

EDINBURGH (AP) --Springbok rugby practice was delayed nearly two hours today after a player reported finding an unknown white powdery substance on the practice field. Head coach Strauli immediately suspended practice while police and federal investigators were called to investigate. After a complete analysis, Scotland Yard forensic experts determined that the white substance unknown to players was the try line. Practice was resumed after special agents decided the team was unlikely to encounter the substance again. (SAPA)