Rugby union in South Africa series. The Freedom Cup (against New Zealand) and the Mandela Challenge Plate (against Australia) are competed for as part of The Rugby Championship. The Africa Cup is an annual competition involving ten African nations. South Africa sent its top amateurs to this competition up until 2007. Since the readmission of South Africa to international rugby, its rugby talent has migrated across the world. There are many high-profile South Africans who, through residence or ancestry, are representing or have previously represented other countries. Players of note are: Rugby union in South Africa Rugby union in South Africa is a very popular
History of the South Africa national rugby union team History of the South Africa national rugby union team The History of the South Africa national rugby union team dates back to 1891, when the British Lions first toured South Africa where they played against South African representative sides. The South Africa national rugby union team played few international matches during a period of international sanctions due to apartheid. Since the end of apartheid in 1990–91, South Africa has once again fully participated in international rugby. The most iconic moment in South Africa rugby history is when South Africa hosted and won the 1995 Rugby World Cup, with Nelson Mandela