ASICS LEADS THE WAY IN TECHNICAL RUGBY APPAREL WITH INSIGHTS FROM PLAYERS AND COACHES
New Springboks apparel designed to give players a performance advantage in search of marginal gains
Ahead of Rugby World Cup 2015, Springboks rugby players visited the ASICS Institute of Sport Science, Kobe, Japan to provide direct insights into the development of apparel and footwear made by ASICS.
Technical detail introduced to the jersey will enhance performance and give the Springboks the platform to dominate the World Cup.
Jersey
The Springboks rugby jersey features three key areas of technical updates which bring a new level of detail to rugby jerseys. ASICS understands the needs of rugby players and has developed technologies aimed at improving performance. Every aspect of the Springboks jersey has been designed with the aim of reducing weight without compromising on strength. The jersey made by ASICS will be the lightest jersey ever worn at a Rugby World Cup by the Springboks. At 70 grams lighter than any previous rugby jersey, it allows the players to play with freedom and reduces fatigue, with small margins making big differences.
Featuring two combined materials ASICS has created a jersey with high tensile strength and a smooth surface making it harder than ever before to keep hold of in the tackle. The mechanical weave is designed to stretch, allowing players to bind to each other, but it also ‘snaps back’ quickly making it hard for players to grip in the tackle. An area which has seen significant development after player insight is the silicone which features on the chest of the jersey. The grip is graduated down the ribcage rather than being high on the chest. Having graduated grip keeps weight down, whilst also ensuring critical areas used for protecting the ball when running and catching maintain the most grip.
The reduced grip also has the effect of improving the breathability in a key area of the shirt, something which benefits the players throughout the duration of a high intensity test match. The hexagon shapes featured on the jersey provide the most points of contact with the ball, an important part of creating the best grip.
By repositioning the grip lower on the ribcage the players also feel a benefit in binding onto one another in scrum and maul situations.
The level of detail from ASICS has been extended across the jersey with the old woven logos making way for 3D badging and hot melt technology. The addition of 3D badging has a significant effect on the weight of the shirt, while also improving the visibility of the Springboks logo on TV.
