Winchester Game Rugby Polo

This sample was produced for the Ellis Rugby Pioneers Collection. The design had an interesting story inspired by the Winchester Game and rugby development in South Africa.

Winchester football was the very first form of football introduced to South Africa in 1861 by Canon George Ogilvie, headmaster of the Diocesan College in Cape Town. The game, often called “Gog’s game,” was first played in the country in 1862 during an exhibition match at the Green Point racecourse between the Officers of the Army and the Gentlemen of the Civil Service. It was an early handling version of football played with a round ball.

The embroider text on the jersey celebrates this game at Green Point in Cape Town. The three crowns crest was inspired by the Diocesan crest which featured similar crowns.