The aim of this study was firstly, to investigate the percentage increase in the body size of the Springbok rugby players over a period of 108 years and to compare this increase with that of the general population. Secondly, it aimed at comparing the data of this study with existing data of international rugby players in other countries. Data concerning 1349 rugby players that formed part of the Springboks between 1896 and 2004 was collected in order to study the changes in body size of these players. Of the 1349 players, 664 were forwards and 685 backs. To be able to compare the data of the other international rugby players, the entire period was divided into two groups, namely 1896-1970 and 1971-2004. The anthropometric variables only included body length, body mass and body mass index (BMI) because in most cases, these were the only variables that had been measured. The results were as follows: the total group registered a mass increase of 2.03 (1.8-2.2)kg per decade and the increase in length per decade for the total group was 0.84 (0.75-0.92)cm . As expected, the BMI had increased by 0.31 (0.27-0.34)kg/m-2 per decade. The mass increase of the forwards and backs was 2.47 (2.32-2.61)kg per decade and 1.45 (1.32-1.57)kg per decade respectively. The length of the forwards and backs had increased as follows: 0.94 (0.83-1.04)cm per decade and 0.69 (0.59-0.78)cm per decade respectively with the BMI of the forwards and backs that had increased by 0.38 (0.33-1.43)kg/m-2 and 0.21 (0.18 - 0.26) kg/m-2 per decade respectively. The 95% confidence intervals for the increases with the total group for body mass, body length and BMI all indicate that the increases for the period 1976- 2004 are statistically larger than the increases for the period 1896-2004 (r>0.25)The increases with the forwards and back for the period 1976-2004 were also significantly larger (r>0.25)than those of the general population. Compared to the other studies done on international rugby players, it was found that the increase in length with the All Blacks and the Wallabies, namely 1.1- 2.1 cm per decade was larger than in the case of the Springboks, namely 0.84 cm per decade. The mass increase of (2.1-3.1)kg per decade and BMI increase of (0.3-0.4)kg/m-2 was comparable to the increases in mass (1.8-2.2)kg per decade and BMI (0.3-0.4)kg/m-2 that was found with the Springbok rugby players. For team selection and game development, knowledge regarding the change in body size and -form is becoming increasingly important to the trainers, managers and selectors of the teams. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Human Movement Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

The aim of this study was firstly, to investigate the percentage increase in the body size of the Springbok rugby players over a period of 108 years and to compare this increase with that of the general population. Secondly, it aimed at comparing the data of this study with existing data of international rugby players in other countries. Data concerning 1349 rugby players that formed part of the Springboks between 1896 and 2004 was collected in order to study the changes in body size of these players. Of the 1349 players, 664 were forwards and 685 backs. To be able to compare the data of the other international rugby players, the entire period was divided into two groups, namely 1896-1970 and 1971-2004. The anthropometric variables only included body length, body mass and body mass index (BMI) because in most cases, these were the only variables that had been measured. The results were as follows: the total group registered a mass increase of 2.03 (1.8-2.2)kg per decade and the increase in length per decade for the total group was 0.84 (0.75-0.92)cm . As expected, the BMI had increased by 0.31 (0.27-0.34)kg/m-2 per decade. The mass increase of the forwards and backs was 2.47 (2.32-2.61)kg per decade and 1.45 (1.32-1.57)kg per decade respectively. The length of the forwards and backs had increased as follows: 0.94 (0.83-1.04)cm per decade and 0.69 (0.59-0.78)cm per decade respectively with the BMI of the forwards and backs that had increased by 0.38 (0.33-1.43)kg/m-2 and 0.21 (0.18 - 0.26) kg/m-2 per decade respectively. The 95% confidence intervals for the increases with the total group for body mass, body length and BMI all indicate that the increases for the period 1976- 2004 are statistically larger than the increases for the period 1896-2004 (r>0.25)The increases with the forwards and back for the period 1976-2004 were also significantly larger (r>0.25)than those of the general population. Compared to the other studies done on international rugby players, it was found that the increase in length with the All Blacks and the Wallabies, namely 1.1- 2.1 cm per decade was larger than in the case of the Springboks, namely 0.84 cm per decade. The mass increase of (2.1-3.1)kg per decade and BMI increase of (0.3-0.4)kg/m-2 was comparable to the increases in mass (1.8-2.2)kg per decade and BMI (0.3-0.4)kg/m-2 that was found with the Springbok rugby players. For team selection and game development, knowledge regarding the change in body size and -form is becoming increasingly important to the trainers, managers and selectors of the teams. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Human Movement Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

Organisations both locally and internationally spend large portions of their marketing budgets on sponsorship opportunities in order to achieve organisational and marketing objectives. The Springboks are in partnership with an assortment of sponsors, from main sponsors to associate sponsors to official suppliers, all with their own objectives to achieve through their affiliation with the Springboks. Although sponsorship is a rapidly growing marketing communication medium, there seems to be uncertainty about aspects related to its impact and effectiveness. The primary objective of the study was to explore the influence that the sponsorship of the Springboks has on the consumer’s decision to purchase the sponsor products within the Tshwane area. The study was an exploratory study and made use of qualitative data collection tools such as naïve sketches and focus group interviews to obtain primary data. The collected data was analysed by means of content analysis. Various variables that impact on the consumer’s final decision to purchase products can be identified and the literature states that limited knowledge exists regarding the influence of integrated marketing communication (IMC) tools on each stage of the consumer decision-making process. Psychological processes that make up consumer behaviour may be impacted by the effects of IMC and acting further to induce a specific decision from the consumer. This study provides knowledge regarding the influence of sponsorship on consumer behaviour. It was found that sponsorship can contribute to increased awareness of sponsors and that it contributes to positive attitudes maintained within the minds of the consumers. As a result of positive attitudes and increased awareness, participants mentioned that they may consider sponsor brands as alternatives in their decision-making process. The final decision to purchase sponsor brands, as indicated by participants, is not dependent on the sponsorship of the Springboks. / Business Management / M. Com. (Business Management)