We are set for another colour clash at the Aviva on Saturday as it has been confirmed by the IRFU that Ireland will wear their navy blue alternate jersey against South Africa on Saturday, who will be wearing their traditional dark green.
The announcement will be a nightmare for fans, especially colour blind ones, with both sides set to be wearing shades of green in Saturday’s game at the Aviva Stadium. South Africa are the one side who Ireland have to wear an alternative jersey against, so it’s disappointing that Ireland don’t have another alternative jersey available.
In Ireland’s 38-3 win over South Africa in 2017, there was a similar problem as Ireland lined out in a grey kit that made for a difficult watch for viewers.
⏪ Last time out against South Africa, we scored four tries in a big win at @avivastadium!
Re-live all the action from the 2017 clash against the Springboks 🇿🇦#TeamOfUs | #IREvSA pic.twitter.com/mWouc8nycy— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) November 1, 2022
Um, this jersey clash is absolutely absurd on TV.#IREvRSA
— Andy McGeady (@andymcgeady) November 11, 2017
Through the years, Ireland have had alternative away jerseys through the years that would have been perfect for Saturday’s game. In 2014, Ireland wore a white jersey to avoid any confusion when South Africa came to Ireland.
8 November 2014; Rob Kearney with support from his Ireland team-mates Jonathan Sexton, left, and Jared Payne, right, is tackled by Jan Serfontein, South Africa. Guinness Series, Ireland v South Africa, Aviva Stadium, Lansdowne Road, Dublin. Picture credit: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE
When the sides met in 2012, Ireland wore a black jersey as the Springboks left Dublin with a narrow victory over Declan Kidney’s side.
10 November 2012; Jonathan Sexton, Ireland, is tackled by Duane Vermeulen, South Africa. Autumn International, Ireland v South Africa, Aviva Stadium, Lansdowne Road, Dublin. Picture credit: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE
It’s disappointing in 2022 that the simple issue of having an alternative jersey is still creating such an issue. This issue isn’t new to rugby, with World Rugby updating guidelines for color blind people in 2027.
New laws that are set to be introduced will ensure that red-green clashes will be banned, meaning one of Ireland or Wales will have to change jerseys when the sides meet.
At the time of the decision made last year, World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont spoke on the significance of the decision on Colour Blind Awareness Day.
“As someone who experiences those challenges first hand, I am delighted that World Rugby is marking Colour Blind Awareness Day 2021 by launching comprehensive guidance for all levels of the game that place visually-impaired considerations at the heart of our decision-making.
Through this guidance, we hope to raise awareness and change culture through positive actions that don’t just address some of the more obvious challenges such as kit colours, but consider the whole match-day experience whether that be wayfinding, digital signage, branding or ticketing.”
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