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The eThekwini Municipality has revealed that Metro Police, in partnership with multiple law enforcement agencies, successfully confiscated counterfeit Springbok-branded items valued at R1.1 million following a significant sports event in the city.
The operation occurred shortly after the Springboks celebrated a thrilling 67-30 win against Argentina in a high-scoring Rugby Championship match held at Kings Park Stadium in Durban on Saturday.
The reigning world champions scored a remarkable nine tries, with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu setting a new national team points record with a hat-trick. Pieter-Steph du Toit also made significant contributions with two tries, helping South Africa climb to the top of the Rugby Championship standings. This win prepares the team for a crucial final, where the Springboks can claim the title with a bonus-point win against Los Pumas at Allianz Stadium in London this Saturday.
The surge in fans following Saturday’s victory created a substantial opportunity for illegal vendors, prompting an effective response from the police.
The KwaZulu-Natal province stated: “Our successful operation led to the confiscation of over R1.1 million worth of counterfeit Springbok-branded goods by the Metro Police in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies.
“The operation resulted in the recovery of 781 items of Springbok-branded clothing, including caps, hats, scarves, t-shirts, beanies, and earmuffs.”
Metro Police Spokesperson Colonel Boysie Zungu explained that the actions taken were in accordance with the Counterfeit Goods Act, which aims to maintain the integrity of authentic brands while removing illegal products from circulation. Zungu reiterated that this initiative is part of ongoing efforts to address various crimes in Durban.
City law enforcement will need to stay vigilant during the upcoming Bafana Bafana match against Zimbabwe for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying round at Moses Mabhida Stadium on 10 October.
