There are two official Webb Ellis Cups, which are used interchangeably. One is a 1911 trophy made by Carrington and Co. of
London, featuring a Victorian design of a 1740s cup by
Paul de Lamerie, while the other is a 1986 replica.
John Kendall-Carpenter, former
England forward and the organiser of the first Rugby World Cup, and
Bob Weighill, the secretary of the
International Rugby Board and also a former England forward, visited
Garrard & Co, the crown jeweller in
Regent Street,
London. It was soon named "The Webb Ellis Cup". New Zealand became the first nation to win the Webb Ellis Cup when they won the 1987 Rugby World Cup. The Webb Ellis Cup has been held by four nations: New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and England. depicting the Webb Ellis Cup The current holders are South Africa, after they beat New Zealand 12–11 in the
2023 Final in France. The trophy was on display in
Newlands, South Africa until 2009, where it had stayed for two years following their victory in the 2007 tournament. Later, it was returned to the home of
World Rugby, Ireland. One cup recently went on tour around the New Zealand provinces along with the
Dave Gallaher Trophy,
Bledisloe Cup,
Hillary Shield,
Women's World Cup,
World Rugby Sevens Series and the
Junior World Cup trophies.
Webb Ellis Cup restoration and repairs The Rugby World Cup trophy is restored by Thomas Lyte. The London-based company also acts as the official goldsmiths for the Webb Ellis Cup and restores or repairs the World Cup at the completion of each tournament and when required at any given period in the intervening years between one competition ending and the next beginning. Thomas Lyte are also responsible for hand-engraving the name of the victorious team on the plinth of the trophy. The plinth features the names of every winner since the inaugural tournament in 1987. == See also ==