Rugby vs the World Challenge: Rugby takes on Cricket in South Africa

The Webb Ellis Cup has paid a visit to rugby fans in South Africa, home of the DHL Stormers rugby club, as part of the Rugby World Cup 2015 Trophy Tour. But cricket fans got in on the action, too, in the latest DHL ‘Rugby vs. the World Challenge’ in Cape Town. It was one of our closest challenges yet!

The sun was shining when the Webb Ellis Cup arrived in Johannesburg earlier in the week in a nation that is simply crazy for rugby. South Africans have, of course, seen the trophy before: in 1995, the Springboks hoisted the trophy at the end of the tournament they hosted.

Plenty of fans were on hand to say hello to the familiar cup, and there was no shortage of reminiscing about the 1995 tournament.

But when the trophy tour moved to Cape Town, the sun gave way to rain, and the nostalgia gave way to lighthearted competition when ambassadors from two of the country’ favorite sports – rugby and cricket – squared off in a downpour-drenched edition of the DHL ‘Rugby vs. the World Challenge.’

South African cricketer Jacques Kallis provided the local challenger to the Rugby ambassador, Martin Corry, a former captain of the English national team. The two men squared off in three challenges at DHL Newlands Rugby Stadium, home of the DHL Stormers, a club we’ve partnered with since 2011.

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The first event was the high ball catch challenge that saw each athlete attempt to catch the most out of five high rugby balls kicked to him. Despite the slippery grip on the wet rugby balls, both Corry and Kallis caught all five.

Next was the cricket version of the same test, where each man had to try and catch the highest number of cricket balls. The advantage should have been to the cricketer, Kellis, but the rain provided an equalizer:

“When it rains like this, we’re normally in the changing room drinking tea!” said Kellis.

In the end, Kallis caught all ten, but Corry let one slip – a mistake that would prove costly!

Finally, Corry and Kallis faced off in a shuttle run that featured an extra twist – each man wore a DHL plane suit.

"This is a first," said Corry as he donned his plane.

With the suits on and getting heavy with the rain (“I’m not sure planes should be allowed to fly in this weather,” quipped Kallis), the race was on to run three rugby balls from the touchline into a DHL courier box. The final challenge was scored a dead heat, making cricketer Jacques Kallis the winner of the DHL ‘Rugby vs. the World Challenge’ in South Africa.

Tenacious competitors

While the rain provided an added element of difficulty during the event, it was clear both men were no strangers to performing under tough conditions: a true testament to both rugby and cricket.

The two draws meant Cricket won the challenge with final a score of 1-0. After four stops featuring ‘Rugby vs The World Challenges’ on the Rugby World Cup 2015 Trophy Tour, the tally stands at Rugby 5 – The World 5.

The Rugby World Cup Tour will hop continents over to South America next, with the Webb Ellis Cup touching down in Argentina on October 9.

Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour

The Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour runs until June 2015 and touches every Rugby playing continent. From Uruguay, the Webb Ellis Cup will make its way to Hong Kong, China, United Arab Emirates, Canada, United States, Italy, Germany, Romania and France before returning to England for the beginning of the UK Trophy Tour.

Keep up with the Tour on Facebook, on Twitter at @DHL_Rugby and on the Sports Stream of DHL InMotion.