Question about Obut Match

Contrary to the "official" (and false) answer you received, no, the black won't last more than a few games. It's only a temporary coating. In fact, Obut (the manufacturer) makes this very clear on its website: "When it is made available to the consumer, the pétanque boule is covered with a black coating that fades very quickly after the first few games".

The black on Obut pétanque boules is generally durable and designed to withstand playing conditions and the passage of time. However, as with any product, some wear and tear can occur with prolonged use and weather conditions. Obut boules are made from high quality materials to minimise this wear and tear.