Saru and government compromise on Springbok emblem

CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - The South African Rugby Union (Saru) and the government have struck a compromise deal involving the wearing of the Springbok logo on the national team's jerseys.

The Springbok emblem -- a leaping antelope -- has been worn by South African since 1906 but various government officials have called for it to be scrapped because they said it was a divisive symbol linked to the apartheid past.

Saru met sports minister Makhenkosi Stofile in Cape Town on Tuesday and then issued a statement saying the meeting was "very positive."

"The sports minister... explained that legislation requiring the national emblem (a King Protea) to be worn on the left-hand side of the jersey of national sports federations will be promulgated by the end of this year.

"We informed him of the earlier decision of the President's Council to fall in line with national legislation.

"The minister also advised us that the commercial emblem of national sporting federations -- in rugby's case the Springbok -- can be utilised as federations deem fit so long as that use does not compromise the national emblem," the statement quoted Saru president Oregan Hoskins as saying.

ONE EMBLEM

Butana Komphela, chairman of parliament's Sports Portfolio Committee, told a national sports conference in Durban in October the days of the team wearing the Springbok were over.

"The Springbok divides us and there can be no negotiation on its future. We have a responsibility to unite the country on one national emblem," Komphela said.