As it leaves the workshop of celebrated trophy makers, Thomas Lyte, in England, there is a sense amidst the sharpest design minds at matter. The craftsmen and women who have worked their traditional skills on the design of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship trophy have created rugby in all its glory.
That trophy arrived in South Africa for the first time last week and was on display at Loftus Versfeld for the quarter-final between the Vodacom Bulls and the Cell C Sharks on June 3.
“The Vodacom United Rugby Championship trophy embodies all that we believe this great competition represents as the future of rugby. It is an honour for us to showcase it for the first time in South Africa at Loftus Versfeld. As South African rugby’s greatest supporter, this is a special moment as we unveil the prize a new generation of rugby players – from north to south – will battle for,” said Michelle van Eyden, Vodacom executive head of sponsorship.
“We wanted something that was a perfect reflection of the tournament. This tournament is characterised by its diversity and geographies of 16 different teams with their playing styles and languages. This is an iconic trophy unlike anything else. There is no existing template in sport for a trophy like this,” said Tom Lister, chief marketing officer for the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.
“It feels fitting that it should be given its first run-out in South Africa – a country we are so proud to have in our competition – with the current performance of the South African teams and the excitement building.”
