Rugby Semi-Finals: 5 Days to the Yokohama Final 🏉

England crushed New Zealand 19-7 in the first semi-final on Saturday. South Africa beat Wales 19-16 on Sunday. The Yokohama final on November 2 will be the most-photographed trophy lift of the year.

Team Lift Photo Composition

Rugby final lifts are team affairs — 30+ players, captain centered, trophy held overhead by multiple hands. The Webb Ellis Cup is designed for this group dynamic with its twin handles spaced for multiple grips. For team-sport perpetual cups you commission, design the handles assuming a team lift, not just a single captain.

Coach the Captain on the Lift

World Rugby briefs the winning captain on a specific two-stage lift (solo first, team second) before the ceremony. Spontaneous lifts often produce awkward photos; coached lifts produce the iconic frames. For your own perpetual cup, brief the eventual winner on standard lift positions before the ceremony. Free coaching, dramatically better photos.