Mandela Challenge Plate

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The Nelson Mandela Challenge Plate is a minor international rugby union tournament, contested between Australia and South Africa. It is named after South Africa's first post-apartheid president, Nelson Mandela.

Initially designed to be held every two years, it was first contested as a one-off match in 2000, with Australia winning the game 44-23 at Melbourne's Telstra Dome. The second, played in Ellis Park, Johannesburg in 2002, was also South Africa's home game in the Tri Nations, and was won 33-31 by South Africa. The 2004 event, delayed until 2005, was played over two legs, and was not part of the Tri Nations. Since South Africa were the holders, Australia needed to win both games to reclaim the trophy. Australia won the first game 30-12, but lost the return leg at Ellis Park, 33-20.

From 2006, with the expansion of the Tri Nations series such that each country plays each other three times, the plate will be contested over three Tests, akin to the Bledisloe Cup.

[edit] The Trophy

The trophy is a leather-clad silver plate containing a 24 carat (100 %) rim, and a central gold disk showing a Wallaby and a Springbok (the icons of the two teams) [1]. It was designed by Flynn Silver, an Australian family company from Kyneton, Victoria.