ASICS launched the Springboks Rugby World Cup 2015 jersey to raucous applause last night at Thunder City, Cape Town.
Available today, the Springboks new jersey is an imposing look that fans and players alike will be proud to wear.
A true sport performance brand, ASICS developed the shirt with direct insights from the Springboks. Scientists from the ASICS Institute of Sport Science (ISS), Kobe, Japan focused on the every detail that can improve a player’s performance.
Jean De Villiers, Springboks Captain, said “If we can bottle the atmosphere and enthusiasm from this launch, then we’ll start the rugby world cup on a very positive note. We’re amazed at the level of detail and research that ASICS has put into creating the kit, which reflects the detail we put into our own preparation.”
The official Rugby World Cup 2015 Springboks shirt will be the lightest jersey the team has ever worn. It is packed with technology focusing on different areas of the game. Grip on the ball is improved with special silicone pads on the ribcage and the jersey is designed with special fabrics to make the shirts harder to hold onto in the tackle.
Anti-grab
Special weave with two fabrics which make the shirt stretchy but with snap back technology.
Eben Etzebeth, Springboks lock, “The contact area is a fiercely competitive part of the game and it’s very important that you can keep possession of the ball. Having direct input into the grip on the shirt at the ASICS Institute of Sport Science was invaluable. The grip placement now allows for more
security when carrying the ball but also a stronger grip when binding in the scrum. These marginal gains can have a massive impact on performance.”
Super Grip
Uniquely positioned gripper technology on the chest with direct insights from players
ASICS obsession with making the shirt lighter brought them to the decision to include 3D badging technology to make the logo the lightest it possibly can be. By replacing traditional stitching methods ASICS saved a significant amount of weight.
“This is the lightest jersey we’ve ever worn and it’s going to give us a great advantage”, said Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira. “You might not feel the advantage of a lighter jersey instantly, but over the course of a game and tournament, with the rising intensity of international rugby, you will reap the benefits every time you pull it on. We train extremely hard and analyse every element in our preparation and ASICS has done the same, every detail counts”.
Lightweight
The jersey is 70g lighter than previous Springboks jersey
The Springboks are aiming for an historic third Webb Ellis trophy and will do everything they can to ensure they are prepared for every game. All the technology created by ASICS features in a short video filmed at ISS, with Jean de Villiers, Tendia Mtawarira, Eben Etzebeth, Duane Vermuelen, Bismark du Plessis, Cornal Hendricks, Willie Le Roux and Pat Lambie.
Heyneke Meyer, Springboks Head Coach, commented, “Working closely with ASICS provides an extra level of insight. At the highest level of modern sport this kind of input from players, coaching staff and ASICS staff is invaluable. As a partnership we have sought to understand all the areas where we can improve and ensure we are prepared for every game. ASICS has come to the party with this new kit and I know the team will wear it proudly at Rugby World Cup 2015.”
The launch video featuring ASICS developing the shirt with direct insights from the Springboks at the ASICS Institute of Sport Science (ISS), Kobe, Japan, can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/IXvSayRvBfM
