THE purpose was to create something unusual; symbolising the kind of bonds these two powerful countries boast in rugby, says Oliver Ward, creative director of the Rugby Greatest Rivalry trophy.
He was talking to this reporter at the reveal of the RGR Four-Test Tour Cup held at the SAB Inbev head office, Johannesburg, on Wednesday afternoon.
Described as ‘the tour like no other now has a trophy like no other’ the trophy was designed ahead of the much anticipated clash between RWC Champs Springboks and similarly one of the world’s best New Zealand tour in South Africa.
The trophy’s shape is inspired by a blade of grass, an element common to every player’s experience, and was developed by Strategy Creative of New Zealand alongside both unions. It is formed from two individual blades, one representing South Africa and one representing New Zealand.
Each blade stands independently, reflecting the unique identity, culture, and history of its nation. Only when the two pieces come together does the complete trophy emerge.
Hidden magnets draw the blades together. Like the rivalry itself, the force between them continues to bring the two nations back together, generation after generation. Each blade has been precision-machined from solid aluminium and features artwork from South African and New Zealand artists.
It took a year to design and conceptualise the trophy.
South African designer Bonolo Chapepa from Cape Town, was also co-commissioned to be part of the design team, and according to Olly, she’s such a ‘marvel’ and happy to have met her after communicating via zoom.
Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, presented by Castle Double Malt, will see both Boks and All Blacks clash after 30-years’ in mzansi- the ‘home of Mandela’ as per Olly’s assertion.
Having outsmarted local franchises in all the games they’ve played- NZ will battle out with the ‘big boys’ starting on Saturday 22 at Ellis Park. They wrap up the local clash at the Calabash- FNB Stadium on September 5.
The winners of the Four-Test Tour will receive both halves following the final Test in Baltimore, USA, on 12 September 2026. Should the series be drawn, each nation will retain one half of the trophy.
Both captains of the 1996 series – Gary Teichmann (Springboks) and Sean Fitzpatrick (All Blacks) were in attendance.
The lanky Teichman who is no longer based in SA, jokingly remarked ‘I struggle a bit with Afrikaans’ during interview said, he “looks forward to this rivalry and trust the Boks will do justice, especially after NZ team had beaten the local sides.”
Muscled looking Fitzpatrick echoed playing against Boks is a 24/7 challenge, much to the laughter from the packed SAB auditorium.
“We’re pitted against two-times world cup champs; it means we will have to be on our best behaviour on the field and the players are aware of the assignment during these Four-Test Tour,” he said.
“Castle Double Malt is proud to be part of a rivalry that means so much to both nations,” said Vaughan Croeser, Vice President of Marketing at South African Breweries.
“What makes this rivalry extraordinary is that neither side loses its identity – it is the coming together of two incredibly proud rugby cultures that creates something the world wants to watch.
This trophy captures that beautifully, and we are proud to help bring Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry to life for a new generation.”
Back to the trophy, it carries NZ blade artwork by Kereama Taepa, inspired by the Māori creation story of Tāne and Whiro – two brothers whose rivalry sees them pursue the same goal by different paths.
His work reflects the tension, respect and connection that sit at the heart of great rivalries.
The trophy base continues the theme of two halves making a greater whole, as it is made of two distinct stones; black Pakohe stone from Aotearoa New Zealand, and green Verdite from South Africa.
The trophy will be seen for the first time on Saturday.
Rivalry Trophy – Specifications
- Height: 65cm
- Blade weight: 7kg each half
- Base weight: 9.5kg
Saturday’s game at Ellis Park kick-off from 5pm.
Tickets are still available.
Image Mdu Mphahlele (Former Boks skipper Gary Teichmann, and SARU boss Mark Alexandra, recorded with Sean Fitzpatrick -All Blacks ex-captain seen with NZ rugby representative limned at the RGR trophy reveal held at SAB-Inbev offices, Wednesday, in Johannesburg.)
