Major sportswear retailers are scrambling to meet the demand for Springbok merchandise as the Rugby World Cup in France continues to dominate weekend festivities in SA.
Demand is such that informal traders are making a killing selling counterfeit Springbok jerseys on the city streets.
On Friday, Sportsmans Warehouse in Rosebank had run out of the Springbok match day jersey, which sells for R2,500. A shop assistant said they hadn't had stock for days.
The collared stadium Bok jersey, which sells for R1,500, had also sold out and the kiddies jersey could be found only online. Men's and women's Springbok golf shirts were not available for love or money. All that was left for sale were Springbok caps for R259, men and women’s T-shirts for R449, and scarves.
“It's been hectic, the sales assistant said. “The demand is unbelievable. We’ve been restocking the Springbok jersey every day. Sometimes we buy 200 of them and they're gone in a day.
“In some instances we buy 500 of them and they are sold in one or two days. Schools have been giving us a hard time. They come and buy as many as 50 or 100 at a time, depleting our entire stock. Some people buy for their entire family. The demand has really been unprecedented.”
Also in Rosebank, Pick n Pay Clothing was left with R159 caps and scarves for R249. T-shirts, beanies and golf shirts were sold out.
Totalsports had only the popular stadium fan jersey, selling for R1,000.
At Sandton City, retailers were in the same predicament. “We have the one for R1,000 but just 40 of them,” said a sales assistant at Totalsports. “These will not last two days. Springbok jerseys have been selling like crazy since the World Cup began. We restock and all is gone in a day.
“The golf shirts cannot be found in any shops in Gauteng. Demand is just too high. We have placed orders and are waiting to restock but you can tell that the manufacturers are also under pressure.”
Pick n Pay Clothing in Sandton City was left with just caps, hats and scarves.
Kirsten Hewett, spokesperson for The Foschini Group (TFG), which owns Sportscene and Totalsports, said the response had been great. She said both the green and gold and the alternative jersey were well received by customers.
But counterfeit products had hurt consumers, industries and communities, she said.
“They undermine the integrity of legitimate businesses and often lack the quality, safety and authenticity that consumers expect from genuine products.”
Hazel Pillay, general manager for Pick n Pay Clothing, said the company had launched an affordable, extended range for the tournament.
“We doubled the range and tripled the volume of items this year to make sure there was something for the whole family. Some of our fastest-selling items were our classic and collectable tees (priced from R119.99) and our winter hoodies ( R149.99 for children and R329 for adults).
“Our range extended to baby body vests — with slogans such as “I am Springbok girl” with a tutu — and even a dog bandanna, both of which were very popular. We also had bucket hats.”
Pillay said the country had rallied behind the company’s Bok Friday at workplaces and schools.
“The demand in our stores was huge. Our Springbok range flew off our shelves with the majority of our stores, sadly, already sold out.”
Counterfeit stock in Johannesburg's inner city was widely available this week. Jeppe Street, popular for fake branded sneakers and jeans, has transformed into a sea of Springbok rugby merchandise.
One of the hawkers, James, said he had been selling on the streets for years in the inner city. He was there when the Springboks lifted the Webb Ellis trophy in Japan in 2019, selling the national colours. In his stall, James sells the green Springbok stadium fan jersey for R250.
The old pink Springbok jersey goes for R120 and golf T-shirts are R70.
“At the previous world cups, we sold Springbok jerseys for R80 to R120. This time the price is more than double but people are still buying. On a day I can sell about 50 items. There are also guys who buy 10 jerseys and resell them in the suburbs.
“Last week I had a guy who wanted 50 Springbok jerseys for company staff. Everyone is buying from us,” James said.
He said sales pick up in the days before a game and after a Springbok win.
Other hawkers were selling Springbok jerseys from R210 to R270. Golf T-shirts cost R70, bucket hats R30, caps R40 and All Blacks jerseys R200.
None of the hawkers would say where they source their merchandise, saying only that it “comes from China and Thailand”.
