“Fake It Till You Pay”: SA Shoppers Caught Out by Counterfeit Goods on Temu

Springboks merchandise at a steal? Le Creuset on discount? If you found it on Temu, it might not be what it seems.

If you’ve recently scrolled through Temu and thought, “Wow, that Springboks cap is dirt cheap!” you’re not alone. But if you clicked “Buy Now,” chances are you might have landed yourself a very convincing fake.

A wave of counterfeit goods, from Blue Bulls cups to Le Creuset spoon rests, has sparked concern among South African consumers. The online shopping boom, fuelled by low prices and quick shipping, has made platforms like Temu a go-to for bargain hunters. But not everything in that cart is the real deal.

From Loftus to Le Creuset: All Fake

A MyBroadband reader raised the red flag after receiving suspiciously off-brand items labelled as Springboks and Blue Bulls gear, along with a Le Creuset–branded spoon rest. After verifying with the brands directly, the answer was clear: none of the items were authentic.

Blue Bulls Chief Commercial Officer Stefan van der Merwe noted the outdated logo on the cup was a clear giveaway. “To the best of my knowledge, none of our licensed partners sell through Temu,” he confirmed.

SA Rugby’s Andy Colquhoun confirmed the Springboks cap was counterfeit and warned that social media is awash with links to fake replica kits. “No official Springboks gear is sold on Temu,” he said, adding that the union routinely alerts the platform when infringement occurs.

As for Le Creuset, a brand beloved for its enamel cookware, the warning was even sharper. CEO Ben Paine couldn’t confirm whether the Temu spoon rest was fake just from photos but made one thing clear: Le Creuset does not sell its products on Temu in South Africa.

He also referenced a recent SAPS raid at a Durban freight depot where police seized counterfeit Le Creuset items. The spoon rest from Temu was slightly lighter and smaller than the genuine one, with different markings underneath: subtle but important differences.

Temu’s Response? Radio Silence

After receiving confirmations from the brands, MyBroadband contacted Temu. The platform requested direct links to the listings, but when only screenshots were shared, they didn’t respond further.

Interestingly, searches for “Springboks,” “Blue Bulls,” and “Le Creuset” on Temu now return no results. However, this seems to be a manual fix. Searches for “Sharks rugby” and “Stormers rugby” still return unauthorised merchandise using team logos.

Unlike platforms like Amazon or Takealot, which also host third-party sellers, Temu offers a more direct link between customers and overseas factories, making it easier for counterfeit products to slip through.

Temu has Responded

Temu has reached out to Joburg ETC, this is their response.

When the Price Tag Is Too Good to Be True

The problem isn’t limited to Temu. Paine warned that scammers are increasingly building fake websites that mimic trusted Le Creuset stockists. These sites advertise “up to 80% off,” but after payment, customers receive poor-quality knockoffs or nothing at all.

“Online marketplaces, Instagram, and even Facebook Marketplace are full of these scams,” he said. “If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.”

And he’s right. Fake goods are not just disappointing; they can be dangerous. From poor safety standards to payment fraud, a cheap deal can cost you far more in the long run.

Local Lessons: Shop Smart, Stay Sharp

For South Africans trying to support local teams or shop premium kitchenware, the rise in counterfeits is a growing concern. Beyond losing money, buyers risk fuelling an unregulated global trade in fake goods, one that often exploits brands, consumers, and manufacturers alike.

What you can do:

• Buy directly from authorised retailers or official brand websites.

• Always check seller ratings and read customer reviews.

• Be sceptical of extreme discounts, especially for premium brands.

• Report fake listings or suspicious shops to the brand or platform involved.

South Africans have a knack for spotting a good deal, but the online space has made spotting fakes harder than ever. Before you hit checkout on that Springboks cap or discounted Le Creuset, take a moment to verify. Because sometimes, a “steal” could mean you’re the one getting robbed.

Also read: Zimbali’s G20 Moment Puts SA’s Events Tourism Power on Full Display

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Source: MyBroadband

Featured Image: Reuters