South Africa first toured Wales during the 1906-07 season, playing six games in total including a Test match won by South Africa at St Helens on December 1 (11-0) and Cardiff RFC’s victory over the Springboks at the Arms Park on January 1 (17-0).
From now on, the two countries will compete for the Prince William Cup whenever they play each other except for any matches during the Rugby World Cup.
The inaugural Prince William Cup match will take place in Cardiff on Saturday November 24th, the only rugby union Test match between two nations to take place in this Rugby World Cup year during the traditional November window. The Prince William Cup will next be competed for during the two-Test Wales tour to South Africa in June, and again when South Africa return to Cardiff next November for more Test match rugby.
Prince William will attend next month’s match at the Millennium Stadium when the teams will battle it out to become the first ever winner of the cup that bears his name. He will be presented to both teams before the match and will present the trophy to the winning captain.
Welsh Rugby Union Group Chief Executive, Roger Lewis said, “This splendid cup will take all future encounters between our nations onto a new sporting plane.
“We have enjoyed a hundred years of incredible rugby history together and it is fitting that we recognise this special relationship in a significant way going forward.
“Prince William has become a great friend of Welsh rugby and I know he fully appreciates how the sort of sporting rivalry we enjoy can help our peoples grow close and learn from each other in so many ways.
“November 24th will become a landmark day in the history of Welsh rugby and I know the people of Wales and South Africa will ensure it is a true day of celebration.
“Our nations share an incredible love of rugby which will now be celebrated forevermore in the Prince William Cup.”
Manager, National Teams, South African Rugby Union Andy Marinos said, “We are excited at the opportunity of further strengthening the ties between the two nations and as we are expected to play each other in IRB fixtures for the next three years in succession, playing for the Prince William Cup will build a more competitive edge to the games.”
The specially-commissioned Prince William Cup has been designed by two of Wales’s leading contemporary designer jewellers, Mari Thomas from Llanelli and Nicola Palterman, who hails from Neath.
Prince William took a keen interest in the concept of the trophy and was personally involved in its design, and the materials used.
Made in silver with a solid Welsh oak base, the maps of Wales and South Africa are etched onto the surface to create a stunning effect.
The hammered edges spiralling around the trophy represent the landscape and mountains of Wales, while inscribed on it are some words of one of Nelson Mandela’s most stirring quotes: “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”
Both designers feel that it has been a great honour to play a part in an event such as this.
“We wanted to create a contemporary feel to the trophy to reflect the dynamic and vibrant image of two great rugby nations.
“It has been an exciting time for us to have been able to collaborate with both the Welsh Rugby Union and Prince William, who have both had their positive input into the final design.”
A series of celebratory events has been organised in the stadium and around the city for the inaugural Prince William Cup encounter which will include the arrival of HMS Kent in Cardiff two days before the match.
