Mandela Challenge Plate

The Nelson Mandela Challenge Plate is a rugby union trophy 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, the trophy was first contested as a one-off match in 2000, with Australia winning the game 44-23 at Melbourne's Colonial Stadium. 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.

Since 2006, with the expansion of the Tri Nations series so that each country plays each other three times, the plate is being contested over three Tests, akin to the Bledisloe Cup.

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.

Winners

Winner	Year	Won by Australia	Won by South Africa	Drawn
Australia	2011	2	0	0
Australia	2010	2	1	0
South Africa	2009	1	2	0
Australia	2008	2	1	0
Australia (retained)	2007	1	1	0
Australia	2006	2	1	0
South Africa (retained)	2005	1	1	0
South Africa	2002	1	0	0
Australia	2000	1	0	0

Records

Most titles won:

1. Australia - 6
2. South Africa - 3

Longest time held by Australia: 3 years (2006-2009)

Longest time held by South Africa: 4 years (2002-2006)

See also

• Rugby union trophies and awards