South Africa Rugby Union (SARU), the game’s national governing body, has signed a six-year partnership with Nike that will see the US sportswear giant become the new kit supplier of all Springboks teams.
The deal covers the 2023 and 2027 men’s Rugby World Cups, with the Nike’s first new set of Springboks jerseys set to be revealed in July 2023.
Nike takes over the SARU technical partnership from Asics, resuming a relationship that ended after a seven-year run in 2003.
For Asics, the decision to end its SARU partnership marks a shift in the Japanese brand’s strategic approach, with a move away from rugby union and consolidating around other sports.
Carsten Unbehaun, chief executive of Asics Europe Middle East and Africa (EMEA), added: “Asics has been a proud sponsor of the South African Rugby Union since 2014, supporting their national squads including the famous Blitzboks Sevens and Springboks teams.
“However, since 2020, Asics EMEA has been realigning its activities to focus on key sports categories; running, tennis and indoor. Consequently, and in agreement with SARU, Asics will not renew the contract. We want to thank SARU for its support through the years and wish the team the very best.”
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