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Sanri van Wyk

Cape Town - SA Rugby has reported Windhoek Lager to the Advertising Standards Authority because of its use of the phrase "the green and gold beer" in one of its advertisements.

In its complaint, SA Rugby stated that Castle Lager, produced by the South African Breweries, is the official beer sponsor of the Springboks.

According to the complaint, the use of the phrase "green and gold beer" gives the impression that Windhoek Lager is the official sponsor.

SA Rugby stated in its complaint that the advertisement was broadcast round about June 16, midway through the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa.

SA Rugby further states that the official name of the tour is the "Castle South Africa 2009 Lions Series".

SA Rugby further states that the use of the phrase on a dark green background with a gold border is purposefully chosen to make reference to the Springbok team.

According to SA Rugby, Castle, since its re-introduction to international rugby in 1992, has been sponsoring South African rugby in various ways and therefore no other beer has the right to refer to the SA Rugby trademark or the Springbok team.

SA Rugby further based their argument on the grounds that it clashed with the broadcasting code of conduct.

Brandhouse Beverages, who markets Windhoek Lager, in its defence, said that they have been marketing the colours of green and gold since 2002 in all marketing of the beer. According to Brandhouse, the term "green and gold" refers to the colours of the packaging of the beer.

Brandhouse insisted that they have been using this advertising campaign since July 2007.

ASA's decision-making board found that there was insufficient evidence that Brandhouse had transgressed the advertisement code . The decision-making board thus dismissed the complaint

They advised SA Rugby to lay a new complaint that is based on the sponsorship code.