Victoria sports minister Justin Madden on Wednesday unveiled the new Nelson Mandela trophy - a sleek, classic silver plate with a thick 24-carat gold lining symbolising the historic rugby rivalry between South Africa and Australia.
The plate, manufactured by Victorian firm Flynn Silver and insured for 38,000 Australian dollars, has a central gold disk featuring a Wallaby and Springbok and a leather clad at the back.
"It is a historic and important occasion and I'm certain the Nelson Mandela Challenge Plate will take its place amongst the great sporting prizes in the world, like rugby and cricket's World Cup, the gold medal at the Olympics and the Davis Cup in tennis," said Australian Rugby chief executive John O' Neill.
He said the match is shaping up to be a classic encounter in every respect. "Both teams want to be the first to lift this trophy and capture that piece of history. Being the world's first indoor Test also carries something special for both teams.
"The trophy symbolises the rich rugby tradition between South Africa and Australia - both world champions. Both countries feel honoured that Mr Mandela has lent his name to this trophy - he is the true embodiment of the human spirit. He is an inspiration for Australians and to South Africans he is the man who unified their country."
The inaugural Nelson Mandela Challenge will be contested on Saturday at the Colonial Stadium between last year's World Cup semifinalists. The former president has backed the match as an enduring tie between Australia and South Africa. He will present a live address to the crowd on Saturday via satellite.
Springbok team manager Gideon Sam said Mandela is the world's best known icon and the fact that he has agreed to be associated in this way with rugby shows how much he cares for the game. "He will watch this game from his house and to him it doesn't matter who wins, it's just the enjoyment he will get out of it that counts. Let us all hope for a good contest."
By Andrew Koopman