Johannesburg - Puma has reaffirmed the new South African national football team kit launched in Johannesburg on Tuesday is an interim kit, which will be replaced by a new kit set to be unveiled in advance of the 2012 African Cup of Nations.

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The sportlifestyle brand also confirmed that replica home shirts have been produced in very limited numbers (2000 units) intended as a collector’s item in celebration of the new partnership, rather than for the mass market, and have been priced accordingly at R899.00.

The replica home shirt will be available to buy in South Africa at the beginning of July and in line with Puma Vision’s commitment to Africa, all proceeds from sales of the interim home shirt will be donated to SOS Children Villages in South Africa, a cause designated by the South African Football Association. 

Ronald Rink, General Manager of Puma South Africa, said: “Puma has worked hard over the past few months to create a playing kit that could be provided for South African teams at the earliest possible time, something on which the South African Football Association placed great emphasis on. It was important to ensure this playing kit incorporated the latest innovations and performance qualities that we deliver for all our national federations worldwide, and we’re pleased we’ve been able to deliver it within such a short timeframe.”

Puma also confirmed it has included South Africa in an exciting African-wide kit concept the sportlifestyle brand has developed for the 2012 African Cup of Nations.

A completely new creative kit design will be unveiled in advance of the tournament and a full range of replica wear and accessories will be available to South African football fans following the launch. The 2012 Africa Cup of Nations replica products will have a normal lifespan, and tiered-pricing to cater for all levels of the market.

Puma announced on Tuesday that it had entered into a new partnership with the South African Football Association to become the official technical supplier to the SAFA, effective immediately and lasting beyond the next two FIFA World Cups.

South Africa will become the thirteenth African international team currently outfitted by Puma. The German company is also supplying the Orange African Cup of Nations champions Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Algeria, Senegal, Morocco, Togo, Burkina Faso, Gabon, Malawi and Namibia.