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 democratically elected president, Nelson Mandela.

History 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 Docklands Stadium. The second, played in Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg in 2002, was also South Africa's home game in the Tri Nations Series, 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 Series, similar to the inaugural edition. 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 Stadium, 33–20.

Between 2006 and 2011, with the expansion of the Tri Nations Series so that each country plays each other three times, the plate was contested over three Tests, akin to the Bledisloe Cup, with the exception of 2007 and 2011, when teams only played 4 games each to accommodate for the Rugby World Cup (RWC) held in those years. In 2012, the Tri Nations Series was expanded to include Argentina and the competition was renamed The Rugby Championship (TRC). The teams now play each other twice, and the challengers are required to beat the holders in both games to win the plate. In 2026, South Africa played a four-Test "Greatest Rivalry" series against New Zealand, so the plate was contested in a single Test, which Australia won 42–38 at Perth Stadium to reclaim 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). It was designed by Flynn Silver, an Australian family company from Kyneton, Victoria, Australia.

Matches – select Wallabies and Boks, Mandela Plate. DetailsPDAustralia pointsSouth Africa points Australia 24 18 5 1 606 493 South Africa 20 4 15 1 350 564 Overall 44 22 20 2 954 1,057

Results Year Date Venue Home Score Away TrophyWinner202627 September 2026Perth Stadium, Perth42–38202523 August 2025Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town30–2216 August 2025Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg22–38202417 August 2024Perth Stadium, Perth12–3010 August 2024Lang Park, Brisbane7–3320238 JulyLoftus Versfeld, Pretoria43–1220223 September 2022Allianz Stadium, Sydney8–2427 August 2022Adelaide Oval, Adelaide25–17202118 SeptemberSuncorp Stadium, Brisbane30–1712 SeptemberRobina Stadium, Robina, Queensland28–26201920 JulyEllis Park, Johannesburg35–17201829 SeptemberNelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth23–128 SeptemberLang Park, Brisbane23–18201730 SeptemberFree State Stadium, Blomfontein27–279 SeptemberPerth Oval, Perth23–2320161 OctoberLoftus Versfeld, Pretoria18–1010 SeptemberLang Park, Brisbane23–17201518 JulyLang Park, Brisbane24–20201427 SeptemberNewlands, Cape Town28–106 SeptemberSubiaco Oval, Perth24–23201328 SeptemberNewlands, Cape Town28–87 SeptemberLang Park, Brisbane12–38201229 SeptemberLoftus Versfeld, Pretoria31–88 SeptemberSubiaco Oval, Perth26–19201113 August Kings Park Stadium, Durban9–1423 July Stadium Australia, Sydney39–2020104 SeptemberFree State Stadium, Bloemfontein39–4128 AugustLoftus Versfeld, Pretoria44–3124 JulySuncorp Stadium, Brisbane30–1320095 SeptemberLang Park, Brisbane21–629 AugustSubiaco Oval, Perth25–328 AugustNewlands, Cape Town29–17200830 AugustEllis Park, Johannesburg53–823 AugustKings Park Stadium, Durban15–2719 JulySubiaco Oval, Perth16–920077 JulyStadium Australia, Sydney25–1716 JuneNewlands, Cape Town22–1920069 SeptemberEllis Park, Johannesburg24–165 AugustStadium Australia, Sydney20–1815 JulyLang Park, Brisbane49–0200523 JulyEllis Park, Johannesburg33–209 JulyStadium Australia, Sydney30–12200217 AugustEllis Park, Johannesburg33–3120008 JulyDocklands Stadium, Melbourne44–23

Mandela Challenge Plate

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