Gibbs gets touch of rugby success

Beaming South African cricketer Herschelle Gibbs got to do what South African rugby players have never done - hold the Super 12 trophy aloft.

Beaming South African cricketer Herschelle Gibbs got to do Thursday what South African rugby players have never done - hold the Super 12 trophy aloft.

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Gibbs, a former South Africa schoolboy rugby star, could barely contain his excitement as Auckland Rugby Union officials led him to their laden trophy cabinet at their Eden Park headquarters ahead of Friday's first cricket international between South Africa and New Zealand.

"No South African's ever done this before," said Gibbs with a mile-wide grin as he brandished the trophy which has only been won by New Zealand and Australian teams since the inception of the Super 12 competition in 1996.

Also eager to get his hands on the trophy was Shaun Pollock, a fan of the Natal Sharks, the best performing South African team who were beaten finalists in 1996 and 2001.