[imagesource:here]

In the Rugby World Cup semi-final against Wales, Faf de Klerk’s ‘kiss’ with rival lock Jake Ball quickly became a viral meme.

The diminutive scrumhalf may have thought that would be the pinnacle of his viral fame, but then along came the images and videos of Faf meeting Prince Harry post-World Cup victory.

Nothing says ‘I’m savouring victory’ quite like drinking beer out of the William Webb Ellis trophy in your jocks whilst meeting actual royalty.

So how did a few members of the team (eagle-eyed viewers noticed a number of pairs in and around the changing room) come to be wearing this now iconic item of clothing? Business Insider SA with the story:

…in one sense the whole thing was actually Springbok captain Siya Kolisi’s fault, including the large amount of dog food that will go to an animal welfare charity as a result.

…sharp-eyed viewers could figure out that De Klerk was actually wearing a swimsuit from Bean Bag The Brand, as emblazoned on the back…

Bean Bag launched in April last year in a light-hearted attempt to bring back what South Africans tend to refer to as “Speedos”, even though that is a registered trademark that the small South African company definitely can not use… [and] it remained a small, specialised company that, in its own words, fought for social media space.

Then Kolisi – who knows [company owner Kurt] Schmelzer from the days they both went to Grey High School in Port Elizabeth – got involved.

“About two months before the World Cup, out of the blue the phone rings, and Siya says ‘hey Kurt, I see you’ve got this brand going, I like the vibe so much, would you like to send a couple of the boys a product or two?'”, Schmelzer recounts.

“It was just out of the goodwill of his heart.”

Schmelzer stressed that it was not in any way a ‘stage-managed product placement’ or ‘expensive sponsorship’, which might account for why they were caught so unaware by the influx of interest.

Once the brand had been identified, orders for the ‘SAFFA – Swim Briefs Bros‘ came flooding in, and Schmelzer said they had sold every budgie smuggler they had in stock.

The company is still taking pre-orders for the next batch, though, with Schmelzer saying orders placed now will be received by Christmas.

You can read a little more about the business on the Daily Maverick, but we’ll finish with this:

Schmelzer said he hoped the sales of the Saffa Swim Briefs will also boost their efforts to support Animal Welfare, an organisation that looks after abandoned and surrendered animals in Port Elizabeth.

He said Bean Bag The Brand will be giving customers a chance to donate R50 when purchasing any product and they will match it with another R50.

Look at that – you’re doing your bit for animal welfare, too.

I’m usually pretty anti-Speedo / budgie smuggler when I head to the beach, but I’m sure fans will be cut some slack this coming summer season.

Even you, tattooed-up Vaalies flooding our shores in December and January. You can thank Faf for that.

[sources:businsidersa&dailymaverick]