Springboks vs All Blacks Series Unveils Beautiful Trophy Made in 2 Magnetic Halves
- A new trophy for the Springboks and All Blacks series was unveiled in Johannesburg on Wednesday by captains from the 1996 tour
- The trophy is shaped like two blades of grass precision-machined from aluminium, with a base made from stones sourced from both countries
- SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer explained the thinking behind the trophy's unusual split design and what happens if the series ends level
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Rugby's Greatest Rivalry now has a piece of silverware to match its stature. A trophy built in two separable halves, held together by hidden magnets, was unveiled on Wednesday in Johannesburg ahead of the four-Test series between the Springboks and the All Blacks.
Former captains Gary Teichmann of the Springboks and All Blacks legend Sean Fitzpatrick, both central figures in the historic 1996 series, presented the trophy at the ceremony.
A Trophy Shaped by Rivalry
The concept behind the design is deliberately symbolic. Each half takes the form of a blade of grass, 65cm tall and precision-machined from solid aluminium, weighing 7kg per piece. One blade represents South Africa; the other, New Zealand. Separately, they reflect the distinct identities, histories and cultures of each nation. United, they form a single, complete trophy.
The 9.5kg base combines two contrasting natural stones — black Pakohe from Aotearoa New Zealand and green Verdite from South Africa — reinforcing the dual identity at the heart of the object.
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Original artwork from artists in both countries is etched onto the blades. South African artist Bonolo Chepape contributed layered patterns rooted in community and shared experience, reflecting the idea that sporting achievement is collective rather than individual. New Zealand artist Kereama Taepa drew from the Māori creation story of Tāne and Whiro, two brothers who pursue the same destination by different routes — a metaphor that maps closely onto the rivalry itself. The trophy took a full year to design and construct.
What Happens If the Series Is Drawn
SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer said the unusual split format was partly a practical response to the possibility of a tied series. "The brief to the agencies was to create a trophy that was really like no other, and one to capture the essence of the rivalry," he said. "The thinking included the idea that the trophy could be split in two to represent the two halves of the rivalry or that each nation could keep one half if the series was shared."
He added that deciding a winner by an arbitrary metric after 320 minutes of level rugby "seemed inappropriate." This is the eighth time in 12 tours that the series has comprised four Tests. The first two tours between these sides, in 1921 and 1928, both ended in draws.
The winner of the series takes both halves home after the final Test in Baltimore on 12 September. Should the teams finish level at 2–2, each country retains one half.
The trophy will be contested for the first time when the Springboks and All Blacks face off at Ellis Park on Saturday.
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Source: Briefly News
