Webb Ellis Cup facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Webb Ellis Cup |
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Webb Ellis Cup in 2015
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| Sport | Rugby union |
| Competition | Rugby World Cup |
| Local name | |
| Nickname | "Bill" |
| Presented by | World Rugby |
| History | |
| First award | 1987 |
| First winner | New Zealand (1987) |
| Most wins |
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| Most recent | South Africa (2023) |
The Webb Ellis Cup is a special trophy given to the team that wins the men's Rugby World Cup. This is the biggest competition in men's international rugby union. The cup is named after William Webb Ellis. Many people believe he invented the game of rugby football.
This shiny silver gilt trophy has been given to the winning team since the first Rugby World Cup in 1987. South Africa has won it four times (1995, 2007, 2019, and 2023). New Zealand has won it three times (1987, 2011, and 2015). Australia won it twice (1991 and 1999), and England won it once (2003).
The trophy is 38 centimeters tall and weighs 4.5 kilograms. It is made of gilded silver and has two handles. One handle has the head of a satyr, which is a mythical creature. The other handle has the head of a nymph, a nature spirit. On the front of the cup, it says International Rugby Football Board and The Webb Ellis Cup. People sometimes call it "Bill" as a nickname. The Wallabies, who won in 1991, gave it this nickname.
History of the Webb Ellis Cup
There are actually two official Webb Ellis Cups. They are used in turns. One cup was made in 1911 by Carrington and Co. in London. It looks like an older cup from the 1740s. The other cup is a copy made in 1986.
John Kendall-Carpenter and Bob Weighill helped choose the cup. John was an organiser for the first Rugby World Cup. Bob was the secretary of the International Rugby Board. They visited a famous jeweler in London called Garrard & Co.
The cup was chosen in February 1987. Rugby officials from New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, and Wales all agreed it was a good choice. Soon after, it was officially named "The Webb Ellis Cup."
New Zealand was the first country to win the Webb Ellis Cup. They won it at the 1987 Rugby World Cup. Only four countries have ever held the cup: New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and England.
The team that currently holds the cup is South Africa. They won the 2023 Final in France, beating New Zealand 12–11. After their 2007 win, the trophy was shown in Newlands, South Africa, for two years. Later, it was returned to the home of World Rugby in Ireland. One of the cups has also traveled around New Zealand.
Webb Ellis Cup: Care and Repairs
The Webb Ellis Cup is looked after by a company called Thomas Lyte. This company is based in London. They are the official goldsmiths for the cup. They fix and restore the trophy after each tournament. They also do repairs whenever needed between the World Cups.
Thomas Lyte is also in charge of engraving the winning team's name on the bottom part of the trophy. This part shows the names of every team that has won the cup since the first tournament in 1987.
See also
In Spanish: Copa Webb Ellis para niños
- Paul Barrière Trophy
