Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry unveils split trophy for 2026 tour

South Africa and New Zealand have unveiled a two-piece trophy for the four-Test Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour in 2026. The series winners will take both sections after the final Test in Baltimore on 12 September, while a 2-2 result will allow each country to keep one half.

The trophy was presented in Johannesburg by Gary Teichmann and Sean Fitzpatrick, the captains of the Springboks and All Blacks during their 1996 series. Its design marks the return of the traditional rugby tour between the two nations, whose rivalry stretches back more than a century.

The creation is built around two aluminium blades shaped like blades of grass. One represents South Africa and the other New Zealand, with each piece able to stand alone before hidden magnets bring them together to form the complete trophy. The separate elements reflect the two countries’ distinct sporting identities, while their connection represents the pull of the rivalry across generations.

Artwork on the South African blade was created by Bonolo Chepape and focuses on community, culture and the collective effort behind sporting achievement. The New Zealand blade features work by Kereama Taepa, drawing on the Māori story of Tane and Whiro, two brothers who follow different paths while pursuing the same objective. The base combines black Pakohe stone from Aotearoa New Zealand with South African green Verdite.

The format also recognises the possibility of an evenly balanced series. This will be the eighth four-Test tour in the last 12 meetings of its kind, and the trophy’s split design avoids using an additional measure to separate teams that have each won two Tests after 320 minutes of rugby. The first two tours, held in 1921 and 1928, were also shared.

The public will see the trophy for the first time on Saturday when the Springboks host the All Blacks in the opening Test at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. Castle Double Malt is the presenting partner for the series and has backed the revival of the traditional tour format.