Asics To Sponsor South Africa Rugby Union National Team Kit In Six-Year Deal

The South African Rugby Union said Asics "will replace Canterbury as the clothing and kit sponsor for the national side, the Springboks, and provincial teams from Jan. 1," according to Renee Bonorchis of BLOOMBERG. SARU Deputy President Mark Alexander said the deal was for six years. The Asics deal will cover the 2015 and 2019 Rugby World Cups (BLOOMBERG, 8/28). Asics will provide SARU with technical apparel, which will include compression fabrics to improve blood circulation, high-tech laser cut ventilation, ergonomic design and recycled materials. SARU CEO Jurie Roux said that the new apparel would be revealed later this year. It will make its first appearance in action in January's HSBC World Sevens Series event (SARU).