'Absolutely crazy': Baffling decision for Springboks-Ireland clash already causing headaches

The opening weekend of the Autumn internationals will see Ireland host South Africa for the first time in five years but a contentious pre-match decision has already caused a firestorm.

Chief rugby correspondent at the Irish Independent, Ruaidhri O’Connor, has reported that the home side will wear their navy blue ‘alternate’ kit against the Springboks, which will cause a kit clash against the Springboks dark green.

The IRFU has confirmed that Ireland will be wearing their navy blue jersey against South Africa, who'll be wearing their dark green kits.

Once again, rugby not doing itself any favours with this stuff pic.twitter.com/dlzw5OhF8K

— Rúaidhrí O'Connor (@RuaidhriOC) November 1, 2022

The last time the two sides played in 2017 a similar situation played out with Ireland donning a greyish dark tone alternate jersey which was similar to the Springboks dark green kit.

The baffling decision has not gone down well with any fans who are sick of kit clashes in rugby.

Ireland’s alternate kit arguably presents a worse clash than the original emerald green, which at least is a light shade compared to the Springboks darker shade.

Irish fans were deeply unhappy with the decision, questioning why the Springboks don’t wear a white alternate or why Ireland does not have a white alternate.

One fan wrote, “It was a disaster five years ago and it will be a disaster again” while another claimed the game was already ‘ruined’.

What is wrong with a white alternate kit? Absolutely crazy stuff.

— James (@jamesmm33) November 1, 2022

It was a disaster 5 years ago and it will be a disaster again. World rugby talking about no red/green clashes for the colour blind. Don't need to be color blind to have trouble this weekend.

— andrewjtracey (@andrewjtracey) November 1, 2022

Dust it off. pic.twitter.com/ul4n7JRNjx

— Paddy O'Brien (@Paddy__Paddy) November 1, 2022

This is a wind up – the Irish navy blue & green jersey is actually closer to the Bok jersey than the trad emerald green. Very funny ha ha

— Dominic Ward (@DominicWard14) November 1, 2022

Madness

— Jonathan Drennan (@JWDrennan) November 1, 2022

Is there anything more to this than a cynical attempt to sell merchandise? Saturday’s jersey is more likely add to, rather than eliminate, confusion. The original green would be far more distinctive. Have @IrishRugby explained decision?

— John O'Donnell (@JlodJohn) November 1, 2022

Congralutions IRFU, you've ruined the game for the fans

— Ryan Berelowitz (@RyanBerelowitz) November 1, 2022

The kit clash will likely go down as another braindead decision by rugby’s administrators if the teams are visually hard to separate on screen.

It remains to be seen whether Ireland can change back to the emerald green in time for the game for the sake of everyone watching.