Royal Navy Sail Rugby World Cup Into Cape Town

A British warship has proudly sailed into Cape Town carrying the Rugby World Cup Trophy – ahead of next year’s event being held in the UK. Even thick rain clouds could not prevent HMS Iron Duke displaying the gold of the Web Ellis Trophy on her deck as she arrived in the South African city for a short visit.

The Web Ellis Trophy is currently on a world tour to promote the Rugby World Cup, while Portsmouth based Iron Duke is currently deployed on Atlantic Patrol Tasking – with both arriving in Cape Town at the same time.

On its fifth leg of the Rugby World Cup tour, the Webb Ellis Trophy was brought onboard the ship as she made her way into berth at the Victoria and Albert Waterfront.

Once she came alongside the ship’s rugby team were given the opportunity to visit Newlands Rugby Stadium and take part in the ‘DHL Challenge’ – a series of mini competitions with Rugby World Cup winner Martin Corry MBE and South African cricketer Jacques Kallis. 

The England 2015 organisers announced that the Portsmouth Royal Navy Rugby Union (HMS Temeraire) will host to the USA team during next year’s competition – a facility familiar to many of Portsmouth based Iron Duke’s ships company.

During her short stay in the “Mother City” more than 3,000 people took the opportunity to visit Iron Duke and find out more about life in the Royal Navy.