Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Gets a Trophy of its Own

Photo Credit: Rugby's Greatest Rivalry

The new two-piece trophy, unveiled in Johannesburg, will bring together the identities of South Africa and New Zealand and could even be split between them if the four-Test series is drawn.

Johannesburg, South Africa (20 August 2026) – The Springboks and All Blacks are already preparing to renew one of rugby’s fiercest rivalries and this time, there’s a brand-new trophy to fight for.

Unveiled in Johannesburg ahead of Saturday’s opening Test at Ellis Park, the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry trophy has been designed in two separate halves that are drawn together by hidden magnets.

It is a fitting symbol for two rugby nations that have spent more than a century trying to get the better of each other, while remaining inseparable in the history of the game.

The trophy was unveiled by two former captains who know the rivalry particularly well. Gary Teichmann of South Africa and Sean Fitzpatrick of New Zealand, who captained their respective teams during the 1996 series. And there is a clever twist to what happens at the end of the four-Test tour.

The winning team will take both halves of the trophy home following the final Test in Baltimore, United States, on 12 September. But if the series finishes level at two wins apiece, neither side will have to go home empty-handed, each nation will keep a half.

That idea reflects the history of these tours, with the first two series between South Africa and New Zealand, in 1921 and 1928, both ending in draws.

South African Rugby Union CEO Rian Oberholzer said the intention was to create something that reflected the unique nature of the rivalry.

“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.”

The trophy itself takes inspiration from a blade of grass.

It consists of two individual aluminium blades, one representing South Africa and the other New Zealand. Each can stand alone, reflecting the separate identity, history and culture of the two nations. Bring them together, however, and they form the complete trophy.

The blades also feature artwork from artists from both countries. South Africa’s piece was created by Bonolo Chepape, whose work explores community and the idea that sporting greatness is built by many people. The New Zealand blade features work by Kereama Taepa, drawing inspiration from the Māori creation story of Tāne and Whiro and the rivalry between the two brothers.

It’s more than just a trophy, it’s designed to tell the story of two proud rugby cultures that remain fiercely independent.

See video here.