Boks

Boks is a term with multiple related meanings. In Afrikaans, bok means a goat-like antelope; boks is the plural form. In English-language usage, boks commonly refer to antelopes native to southern Africa, especially the springbok. These medium-sized ungulates inhabit grasslands and savannas and are known for their speed and for their distinctive pronking displays, a high, stiff-legged jump used as a signal and to deter predators.

Springboks serve as a symbol of South Africa and are the country’s national rugby union team, often simply called the Boks. They compete in international matches and in the Rugby Championship against New Zealand, Australia, and Argentina. The team wears green and gold and has won the Rugby World Cup three times, in 1995, 2007, and 2019.

In wildlife contexts, boks refer more broadly to various antelope species of southern Africa, grouped by the generic term bok in Afrikaans. The usage reflects regional naming conventions and is most common in South Africa and neighboring regions. The term carries both zoological and cultural significance, linking the region’s native fauna with its national rugby identity.