Johannesburg - The jersey which Bafana Bafana will wear during the 2010 FIFA World Cup has been unveiled.
According to jersey sponsors Adidas, South African and German teams spent two years designing the jersey, which includes the South African flag on the front and an African art print on the collar.
The jersey is primarily yellow, with green trim, and includes 11 threads to symbolise diversity in unity, as well as modern interpretations of traditional South African artwork, reports Southafrica.info.
There are two versions of the jersey, known as "Techfit skin-tight" and "Formotion". Both include "climacool" technology, which helps to control sweating.
Speaking at the release of the new strip at the Market Theatre in Johannesburg on Wednesday, Bafana Bafana Captain Aaron Mokoena said: "It's a beautiful jersey and we are quite comfortable in it."
He said the team was excited to have been involved in the process of designing it. "They made 21 different [designs] that we had to choose from," he explained.
It is Bafana's 16th new jersey in the last 11 years, and the team and its fans are hoping it contains a little magic for football's biggest showpiece.
To help build the hype for the World Cup, and to get South African citizens behind the national team, Adidas have made a massive replica of the World Cup jersey, about 60 metres by 48 metres, which can be signed by the country's citizens.
It is meant to reflect their allegiance, along with that of the players.
Mike Ntombela of Adidas says the replica jersey is already on sale throughout South Africa. It will retail for R599, while a t-shirt, similar in appearance to the jersey, will sell for R345.
The new jersey will be worn for the first time on Saturday, when South Africa and Japan meet in a friendly at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.
