THE Webb Ellis Cup touched down in South Africa for the fifth leg of the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour on Monday August 18.
The Trophy Tour, in partnership with Land Rover and DHL – two long-time supporters of the game and Rugby World Cup 2015 Worldwide Partners – is the first time rugby’s most coveted prize has been showcased around the world, visiting 15 countries over 12 months as part of a celebration of rugby in the lead up to Rugby World Cup 2015, hosted in England and Cardiff.
The Trophy visited Hoërskool Waterkloof in Pretoria, where children from the school, along with groups from St Peters, Pretoria Technical High School and Elarduspark could show off their rugby playing skills in a coaching clinic led by former South Africa coach, Ian McIntosh, and the Rugby World Cup 2007 winner, Gary Botha. Land Rover supports a number of schools through its South African dealer network – a total of 31 dealers supporting local schools within their communities.
In the evening the Webb Ellis Cup was the guest of honour at a reception hosted by the British High Commission at the Trade Commissioners residence in Johannesburg. It was joined on stage by Rugby World Cup 1995 winner Joel Stransky, former England captain, Rugby World Cup 2003 winner and Rugby World Cup 2007 finalist, Martin Corry, and former England sevens captain, Ollie Phillips, who spoke about rugby careers.
British High Commissioner to South Africa, Judith Macgregor, said: “I am delighted to welcome the Webb Ellis Cup to South Africa, a country with a rich rugby heritage. The trophy has a particular resonance in South Africa and particularly Johannesburg, where South Africa won the World Cup at Ellis Park in 1995. We all remember that iconic moment when former President Nelson Mandela, sporting Francois Pienaar’s shirt, lifted the Webb Ellis Cup to incredible emotions in a free and democratic South Africa. I look forward to watching South Africa in action 20 years later at Rugby World Cup 2015 in England.”
Today the trophy travelled down to Cape Town for two days to visit a number of locations in and around the city. It was given a Royal Navy welcome on board of HMS Iron Duke as she comes into dock at the V&A Waterfront, with the crew set to show off their rugby skills on deck. HMS Iron Duke will also host local school children on board the ship to view the Webb Ellis Cup and meet rugby legends. The trophy will then be taken to iconic locations on the V&A Waterfront and visit the Springbok Experience, before going on display at a sunset reception on board HMS Iron Duke.
Chief Executive of England Rugby 2015, Debbie Jevans, said: “We are very excited to be bringing the Webb Ellis Cup to South Africa as part of the Rugby World Cup Trophy. We have been delighted by the warm reception we received so far during our visits on the Trophy Tour, highlighting the excitement for the game across the globe.
“With a proud Rugby World Cup record, South Africa is no stranger to the Webb Ellis Cup, and I have no doubt that the people of Pretoria, Johannesburg and Cape Town will help us make our visit a celebration of rugby.”
The visit continues the African leg of the Trophy Tour, having previously spent three days in Madagascar, where it received a colourful reception during its visits to rugby clubs and communities, while also highlighting the work of the UN World Food Programme.
The visit concluded with the trophy taking centre stage at the Mahamasina Stadium for the climax of the Confederation Africaine de Rugby (CAR) Div 1A, which saw Namibia qualify for Rugby World Cup 2015.
Prior to Madagascar the Webb Ellis Cup was in Fiji, Australia and Japan.
