South Africa rugby refutes emblem claims

South African rugby’s governing body have denied they are using the Springbok emblem illegally.

SABC radio reported sports minister Makhenkesi Stofile had told parliament’s portfolio committee on sport his department was the owner of the trademark and that SA Rugby has no licence to use the emblem.

Stofile said: “SA Rugby is using the Springbok emblem illegally because it failed to renew its licence to use it.”

He added that legal action was under way to recover royalties owed by SA Rugby for its use of the Springbok emblem.

SA Rugby denied they had done anything wrong in a statement, saying: “South African Rugby has noted comments made by the minister of sports and recreation, the Reverend Makhenkesi Stofile, surrounding ownership of the Springbok emblem.”

Johan Prinsloo, chief executive officer of the South African Rugby Union (SARU), said: “We have passed on the reports to our lawyers but that is not our understanding of the situation.

“We look forward to engaging with the minister on this issue on a face-to-face basis at his earliest convenience.”

The Springbok emblem has been under threat since the head of parliament’s sport committee, Butana Khompela, called for its abolition, claiming it was “divisive” to the nation.

SA Rugby claimed they have received thousands of emails, faxes and letters since then calling for the emblem to be retained.