They call themselves the “Springbok Nude Bums” and they’re so passionate about rugby that they had Springbok emblems tattooed on their rear ends.
And when they arrive in New Zealand later this month for the Rugby World Cup, Vaughan Davies and Frank Wimberley will be showing their bottoms off through a strategic “holey bum” in their pink and gold kilts and paisley tights.
The friends have designed their own Springbok jerseys, created from silky pink and yellow fur and festooned with sequins.
“For the full regalia you have to have a bit of bum showing,” chuckled Wimberley, an engineer from Parktown North. “We’ve made it to each of the World Cups with successively more outrageous outfits. During the last World Cup, we were wearing hulk tops and the World Cup before that, it was a two-tone shirt in green sequins and gold.”
Their outfits serve as a “great ice-breaker”, explains Davies, a Parkhurst-based project manager with a construction firm.
“We once went to Loftus and thought we’d be beaten up by the rugby supporters. But it’s a wonderful way of breaking the ice with the most macho rugby supporters.
“We go watch the games, jump around and people think we’re mad.
“The girls love it and we scrum down with them and do a little routine. The guys always have a good laugh. Sometimes you bump into clients, and then there’s a bit of a shock, but most guys take it quite well. Touch wood, we’ve never had anything aggro. They see the funny side of it. We hope the Kiwis have a sense of humour.”
The pair have been to every World Cup since 1999 and “the tradition continues” with Wimberley designing each outfit.
He has always been a “dab hand” at making clothes and even made his wife’s wedding outfit.
Davies explains the tattoos resulted from a friend’s dare. “He bet we wouldn’t do it, but if we did, he’d pay us. We took him up on the offer.”
“We were great hits in France and we hope to be even bigger hits in New Zealand. They (rugby supporters) always love it when they see us coming.
“But we’re not too sure this time. Now we’re off to New Zealand and we might never come back with this outfit,” laughed Wimberley. - Saturday Star