Bulls go pink
by Brenden Nel 14 February 2012, 09:16
It isn’t a move that will please everybody, but it certainly is bold. The Vodacom Bulls have launched their new away kit - a combination of pink and purple "inspired by the Jacaranda trees of Pretoria."
The away kit will be used four times during this year’s Vodacom Super Rugby competition, and is the same design as the home “Smash” design, launched in December last year.
The kit, designed by new kit sponsors Puma, is certain to ruffle a few feathers, as change in colour has traditionally not been a popular thing with the Bulls supporters.
Last year the team donned a Red jersey for their sponsors Vodacom, who changed their colours during the Super Rugby competition, and while the majority of reaction was positive, the Bulls Company came in for some abuse at the hands of traditional fans who were incensed at the move away from the light blue.
Vodacom Bulls captain Pierre Spies says in the press release: “PUMA have certainly changed the pace since their arrival at the Bulls and the team feels that our Away jersey, a complete contrast from our traditional kit, is a great way to celebrate a new partnership."
The Away shirt was inspired by the phrase “bull in a china shop” and expresses the Vodacom Bulls’ powerful playing style. The complexity of the design, which combines a chevron-like effect, is designed to distract opposition players.
PUMA South Africa’s Marketing Director Brett Bellinger says: “In designing the new Away shirt PUMA wanted to create a statement on the field, so we have opted for a striking colourway inspired by the purple Jacaranda trees that are synonymous with Pretoria.”
The Vodacom Super Rugby replica away shirt will be available from 24 February 2012 and will retail for R599.