KITTING out a family of four in Bafana Bafana supporters’ jerseys could set you back more than R2000.

The high prices of Bafana Bafana supporters’ jerseys, some selling for up to R599 per adult and R499 per child, could severely dent the pockets of die-hard Nelson Mandela Bay fans.

Some fans are deliberating whether they should fork out for the merchandise to show their support for the national team during next year’s Fifa World Cup in South Africa.

Sport fanatic Graeme Sauls, of Westering in the Bay, said the Bafana jerseys were overpriced. “The quality of material they’ve used is good but if you are a family of four, and want to buy a jersey costing R499 per adult and R399 per child, it will cost you nearly R1800.”

Owethu Thuswa, of Motherwell, said: “If Bafana Bafana would play like the Boks and the Proteas I would buy the T-shirt for that price.”

Bafana Bafana supporter Lesiba Magazi, of KwaDwesi, who works as a cashier, said “no ways, that’s too expensive for me”.

Former The Herald Miss Port Elizabeth 2005, Valene Sampson, said because the World Cup was being hosted here she would probably buy a T-shirt, “but cheaper options must be made available”.

Even though prices are high, several shops have periodically sold out of Bafana Bafana merchandise.

The Footballer in Newton Park sells the Bafana jersey for R499, the junior jersey for R399, and the supporters’ T- shirt for R299. Other supporters’ items such as backpacks can also be ordered.

Total Sports in Greenacres had only two children’s Bafana supporters’ jerseys left on Thursday – at R449 each. The shop’s short-sleeved Bafana supporters’ jersey is R599 and Bafana Bafana caps sell at R169.

Sportsmans Warehouse at Moffett Park sells the children’s T-shirt for R299,95. By late this week they only had two left. The adult Bafana T-shirt sells at R349,95 and they only had one adult medium-sized supporters’ jersey left at R599.

Sports Clearouts in Linton Grange was sold out of adult and children’s Bafana T-shirts and supporters’ jerseys.

Edgars sells “official licensed” Bafana T-shirts at a more affordable R89,95, although these are not of the same quality as the higher-priced clothing.

Illegal counterfeit merchandise typically surfaces ahead of an event like the World Cup, but a police spokesman said this week there were no reports yet of fake Bafana Bafana supporters’ items on the market.

Archie Charalambous, the Nelson Mandela Bay 2010 venue manager, said he too was unaware of any counterfeit merchandise cropping up.