The national animal of South Africa is the springbok (Antidorcas Marsupialis), a swift and graceful gazelle.

The springbok appears on the emblems of the South African Air Force, the logo of South African Airways, the reverse of the Krugerrand and also on the official Coat of Arms of the Republic of South Africa.

This tartan employs many different shades of green to resembles the fertile veld of South Africa where the Springbok grazes.

The springbok itself inspires the center of the sett by focusing on the Springboks' beautiful and lustrous eyes and the dainty white patch on its back.  It also represents the rich gold found in South Africa.  The springbok itself inspires the center of the sett by focusing on the Springboks' beautiful and lustrous eyes and the dainty white patch on its back.  It also represents the rich gold found in South Africa.

The Springbok gets its common name from its characteristic jumping display which is also known as a 'pronk' in Afrikaans, meaning to 'boast' or 'show off.'

Springbok often go into bouts of repeated high leaps of pronking up to 2 m (6 ft 7 in) into the air.   While pronking, the Springbok repeatedly leaps into the air in a particular stiff-legged posture, with its back bowed and the white fan lifted. While the exact cause of this behaviour is unknown, springbok exhibit this activity when they are nervous or otherwise excited.

One theory about pronking is that it is meant to signal to predators that they have been spotted. Another is that springbok show off their individual strength and fitness so the predator will choose another (presumably weaker) member of the group.  

For a video of springboks pronking, click the springbok.