Highlanders Tribute Jersey: Honoring the Legacy of Rugby
- The Highlanders have introduced a limited edition jersey designed to honor the franchise's Fijian connections.
- The launch of the Fijian-themed apparel coincides with a broader celebration of the 30th anniversary of Super Rugby.
- The 30-Year Celebration Jersey is a modern tribute to the original strip worn during the inaugural 1996 Super 12 campaign.
The Highlanders have introduced a limited edition jersey designed to honor the franchise’s Fijian connections. This release follows a series of commemorative efforts by the club to recognize the people, culture, and players who have contributed to the team’s history and the game of rugby.
Celebrating 30 Years of Super Rugby
The launch of the Fijian-themed apparel coincides with a broader celebration of the 30th anniversary of Super Rugby. To mark three decades since the competition began in March 1996, the Highlanders have also released a 30-Year Celebration Jersey for the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season.
The 30-Year Celebration Jersey is a modern tribute to the original strip worn during the inaugural 1996 Super 12 campaign. Co-designed with apparel sponsor Classic, the garment is intended as a one-off design for the 2026 season to connect the club’s past and present.
The heritage design incorporates the blue, gold, and maroon colors representing the three provinces that form the Highlanders’ region: North Otago, Otago, and Southland. Key features of the commemorative jersey include an Est.1996
insignia and a special 30-year crest on the chest, along with a commemorative sleeve patch.
Legacy and Regional Identity
The club’s focus on heritage is emphasized by the involvement of former Highlanders and All Blacks Jeff Wilson and Ben Smith. Wilson noted that the jersey serves as a symbol of loyalty to the team and the values it represents, reflecting the contributions made during the 1996 season.
Leaving the jersey in a better place has always been part of rugby’s story. When I see people wearing the team jersey now – whether here in Dunedin or on the other side of the world – it shows me their loyalty to the team, the club and the values it represents and reminds me that in 1996 we contributed to something lasting
Jeff Wilson
Ben Smith further highlighted that the jersey represents the entire community of the region rather than just the players on the field.
Wider Super Rugby Heritage Trends
The Highlanders’ move to embrace nostalgic designs is part of a league-wide trend for the 2026 season. Other franchises have similarly reworked their 1996 looks using modern performance fabrics and contemporary cuts while retaining old-school elements like loop neck collars and 30th anniversary badges.
- The Hurricanes 2026 home jersey is a revival of their 1996 strip, blending heritage colors with their current identity.
- The Blues 2026 home jersey pays tribute to their inaugural 1996 championship-winning side with bold stripes and historical detailing.
The Highlanders’ heritage release is available through Classic Rugby, priced at NZD $159 for certain sizes, and is positioned as a collector’s item for fans and Super Rugby nostalgics.