The Freedom Cup (Afrikaans: Vryheidsbeker)[1] is a minor international rugby union trophy contested between South Africa and New Zealand, during The Rugby Championship and previously during The Rugby Championship's predecessor, the Tri Nations. It was first contested in 2004 (the 10 year anniversary of South African democracy), in a one-off test. The game, played at Ellis Park, Johannesburg was won 40–26 by South Africa. However, in the 2006 Tri Nations Series, it was contested in all three New Zealand–South Africa matches.

Freedom Cup
SportRugby union
Instituted2004
Number of teams2
Country South Africa
 New Zealand
Holders South Africa (2024)
Most titles New Zealand (16 titles)

In 2006, New Zealand won the first two matches, winning the Freedom Cup for the first time, but during the post-match presentation following the third game which was won by South Africa, Supersport presenter Joost van der Westhuizen incorrectly presented the trophy to Springbok captain John Smit who accepted it in front of millions of television viewers. The mistake was later corrected, off-air.

Matches

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Details P   New Zealand   South Africa D New Zealand points South Africa points
  New Zealand 16 12 3 1 494 250
  South Africa 20 11 9 0 555 495
Neutral Venue [note 1] 2 1 1 0 48 48
Overall 38 24 13 1 1097 793

Source:[2]

Results

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Year Date Venue Home Score Away Trophy
Winner
2024 7 September Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town South Africa   18–12   New Zealand  
31 August Ellis Park, Johannesburg South Africa   31–27   New Zealand
2023 15 July Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland New Zealand   35–20   South Africa  
2022 13 August Ellis Park, Johannesburg South Africa   23–35   New Zealand  
6 August Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit South Africa   26–10   New Zealand
2021 2 October Robina Stadium, Gold Coast, Queensland New Zealand   29–31   South Africa  
25 September North Queensland Stadium, Townsville New Zealand   19–17   South Africa
2019 27 July Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington New Zealand   16–16   South Africa  
2018 6 October Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria South Africa   30–32   New Zealand  
15 September Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington New Zealand   34–36   South Africa
2017 7 October Newlands Stadium, Cape Town South Africa   24–25   New Zealand  
16 September North Harbour Stadium, Albany New Zealand   57–0   South Africa
2016 8 October Kings Park Stadium, Durban South Africa   15–57   New Zealand  
17 September Rugby League Park, Christchurch New Zealand   41–13   South Africa
2015 25 July Ellis Park, Johannesburg South Africa   20–27   New Zealand  
2014 4 October Ellis Park, Johannesburg South Africa   27–25   New Zealand  
13 September Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington New Zealand   14–10   South Africa
2013 5 October Ellis Park, Johannesburg South Africa   27–38   New Zealand  
14 September Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand   29–15   South Africa
2012 6 October FNB Stadium, Johannesburg South Africa   16–32   New Zealand  
15 September Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin New Zealand   21–11   South Africa
2011 20 August Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth South Africa   18–5   New Zealand  
30 July Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington New Zealand   40–7   South Africa
2010 21 August FNB Stadium, Johannesburg South Africa   22–29   New Zealand  
17 July Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington New Zealand   31–17   South Africa
10 July Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand   32–12   South Africa
2009 12 September Waikato Stadium, Hamilton New Zealand   29–32   South Africa  
1 August Kings Park Stadium, Durban South Africa   31–19   New Zealand
25 July Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein South Africa   28–19   New Zealand
2008 16 August Newlands, Cape Town South Africa   0–19   New Zealand  
12 July Carisbrook, Dunedin New Zealand   28–30   South Africa
5 July Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington New Zealand   19–8   South Africa
2007 14 July Lancaster Park, Christchurch New Zealand   33–6   South Africa  
23 June Kings Park Stadium, Durban South Africa   21–26   New Zealand
2006 2 September Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg South Africa   21–20   New Zealand  
26 August Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria South Africa   26–45   New Zealand
22 July Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington New Zealand   35–17   South Africa
2004 14 August Ellis Park, Johannesburg South Africa   40–26   New Zealand  

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the two tests played during the 2021 Rugby Championship were both staged in Queensland Australia

References

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  1. ^ Agter die doellyn (eBoek): Glorieryke oomblikke in Springbokrugby met getuienisse en lewensverhale deur Victor Matfield, Pierre Spies, Beast Mtawarira, Morne Steyn, Juan Smith, Jannie en Bismarck du Plessis, Peter de Villiers ... Christelike Uitgewersmpy. 15 July 2011. ISBN 9781431603244 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ Pick and Go rugby archive Archived 21 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine – select All Blacks and Boks, Freedom Cup.
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