Did you know how South Africa got the "Springbok" national emblem.......

The use of the Springbok as the national sporting emblem of South Africa originated in 1906.  The first South African rugby team to tour Britain had just reached London.  Sports journalists enquired about the team's nickname - the New Zealand team had recently been named the "All Blacks" on account of their black togs.  The South Africans had no nickname, but the next day the players visited the London Zoo.  They were amused to see a small herd of springbok irrepressibly pronking about to the delight of the spectators.  Some member of the team suggested that they adopt the springbok as their nickname.

The idea was received with immediate approval and team captain Paul Roos suggested to the accompanying newspapermen that they call the South African team "De Springbokken".  This was shortend to "Springbokke" and eventually to "Springboks".

On 12 September 1906 the South African Rugby Board approved the springbok as the team's official emblem.