Sports style guide to ensure you score big on and off the pitch

The union of sport and fashion has always been a marriage equally yoked in performance and design, however, this season we bring you the quintessential sports style guide that will ensure you score big on and off the pitch. Whether you are the proud owner of a sports jersey or want to elevate your fandom through stylish coordination, we have you covered.

ORLANDO PIRATES X THEBE MAGUGU

With the unveiling of their new jersey still causing rough tides with the club’s fans, Pirates’ latest edition has cleverly sewn the club’s skeletal portraiture in the design of a fingerprint, while remaining true to the Buccaneers’ black, red and white aesthetic. Many thanks to Magugu, the jersey has the making of becoming a collector’s piece. Designs are also on par with runway trends with the choice of pistachio as seen on the Fendi runway. Die-hard fans of the classic black and red can swap out their prized jersey for a monochrome print paired with red accessories as witnessed on the Marine Serre runway.

KAIZER CHIEFS 

The reunion of Amakhosi with Italian sports apparel brand Kappa has conceived the love child of the club’s latest jersey that promises to elevate the sporting experience. The distinct shades of gold, butter and honey illuminated by the stark black geometric pattern will make photocopying an off-duty outfit equally striking. Dribble through the stadium audience in a black and yellow checkerboard ensemble inspired by Louis Vuitton’s latest spring-summer offering or opt for an all-black suit and tie look finished off with a canary weekender bag.

LEGACY JERSEY

Hopping onto the luck of the 1996 African Cup of Nations winning jersey, both the Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana national squads have teamed up with French sportswear brand Le Coq Sportif to recreate the Legacy jersey. The 27-year-old championship jersey makes its comeback as the brilliant addition to the refreshed hunter green and canary yellow home kits. Off the pitch, the iconic black, green and golden stripes can be interpreted as a day look inspired by the Kenzo runway of caramel brown and soft leather letterman jacket with bold graphics paired with a green shirt underneath and khaki trousers.

SPAR PROTEAS

The bittersweet conclusion of the Netball World Cup saw the Spar Proteas squad take 6th position in the tournament. Although we are still mesmerised by their incredible ball control and sporting professionalism, it was their colourful Ndebele-inspired print tunics that had no foot faults in our style guide. Take your reference from Wales Bonner’s opening runway look by pairing a vest and skirt ensemble overlaid with mesh beading of silver metallic, cherry red and cyan blue detailing finished off with a light anorak.

SPRINGBOKS 

Looking to retain their championship title at the Rugby World Cup next month, the Springboks will go on the defence looking stylish in their recently unveiled kits. The Bokkes’ World Cup gear features the unmistakable green and gold collared jersey of which the underside of the collar pops a traditional print, an ode to Mzansi’s flag. In the spirit of unity, the dazzling jersey boasts a turquoise, arctic blue and white tribal geometric print that will be a winning try on the field as it is on the runway. Spotted on the Valentino runway, the cool hue can be paired with deep browns and firebrick red shades. For the grounded fans, scrum at fan parks in sweet playsuits in the national colours such as this look by Wales Bonner.

OLYMPICS VELDSKOENE

While leading the pack with their many medals, local Olympic stars were caught in the middle of a veldskoene war at the 2021 games.

The rawhide shoes were sported by the national team during the opening ceremony and while many hated the sight of them, they showcased a fun approach to rocking the shoe with prints-heavy shirts. While the safari look might not work for many, opt for casual or semi-formal styles to pull off these kicks. A simple shirt and jeans are the best way to let it shine or outfits utilising light hues as seen at the most recent Eckhaus Latta show with tan colours and layers of blue.

Additional reporting by Thango Ntwasa.