JOHANNESBURG – South African rugby fans now finally have a dedicated home for official Springbok merchandise after the country’s first-ever Springbok store opened its doors this morning at Sandton City shopping centre in Johannesburg.
The groundbreaking retail venture was officially inaugurated at a ceremony on Thursday, attended by Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie and Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi, signaling government support for the historic development.
“In retrospect, it is amazing that we have not had such an offering before now,” said Mark Alexander, president of the South African Rugby Union, at the shop launch. “Before today, if you’d asked the question ‘where is the Springbok shop?’ you’d have been met by blank faces.”
Alexander highlighted the stark contrast with other world-famous sports teams, noting that supporters can visit Paris St Germain’s shop on the Champs Elysee, Bayern Munich’s store at Munich airport, or Manchester United’s megastore near Old Trafford.
“But if a visitor to South Africa wants to take home with him or her a memento of one of Africa’s most famous sports teams where was the Springboks store? Now we have an answer,” he said.
The store will stock official Nike replica teamwear alongside an exciting new range called “Springboks” – off-field supporters clothing designed for everyday wear, from office to braai.
Combating counterfeit crisis
The store opening represents the successful completion of a goal set by SARU’s Executive Council at the start of 2024, driven largely by the need to combat rampant counterfeiting.
SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer explained that the explosion of fake merchandise since 2019 had flooded e-commerce channels with counterfeit products exploiting Springbok colors and iconography.
“The Exco recognised there was a gap in the market that others were exploiting and that there was an opportunity and a need for SA Rugby to meet that demand and retain the value for the benefit of rugby,” Oberholzer said.
The CEO emphasized that this is just the beginning, with plans for additional stores across the country and an expanded clothing range that allows fans to show their Springbok pride beyond match days.
“That we have got here so quickly – within 18 months of setting the goal – is a tribute to the hard work of the team that has gone on behind the scenes,” Oberholzer noted. “This is the start of an exciting new chapter for the Springboks and will take the brand into places it has never been before.”
The store is located at Protea Court in Sandton City, most easily accessible from the Rivonia Road entrance. The full product range is also available online at www.springbokretail.com for both local and international supporters.
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