South Africa first toured Wales during the 1906–07 season, playing six games in total including a Test match won by South Africa at St Helens on December 1st (11-0) and Cardiff RFC’s victory over the Springboks at the Arms Park on January 1st (17-0). The inaugural Prince William Cup match took place in Cardiff on Saturday November 24th 2007, the only rugby union Test match between two nations to take place in the traditional November window of a Rugby World Cup year. Prince William attended the inaugural match at the Millennium Stadium to witness the first ever winner of the cup that bears his name, and presented the winning captain with the specially comissioned trophy.

The Springboks secured another piece of silverware for the cabinet alongside the recently acquired Webb Ellis trophy as they powered to a 34-12 victory at the Millennium Stadium. Colin Charvis became the most prolific try-scoring forward with his half-time try whilst Wales debutant fullback Morgan Stoddart also gained a five-pointer on his first appearance in a senior red jersey. However, a brace from Jaque Fourie and other notable scores from JP Pietersen, Juan Smith and Ryan Kankowski continued the superb South African year of rugby.

This inaugural match marked the start of competition for the Prince William Cup, as from this match onwards the two countries will compete for the Prince William Cup whenever they play each other except for any matches that may crop up in a future Rugby World Cup. The Prince William Cup was contested during Wales's two-Test tour to South Africa in June 2008, the Springboks claiming the spoils with two victories, and will next be competed for when South Africa return to Cardiff in November 2008 for more Test match rugby in the Invesco Perpetual Series '08.

The specially-commissioned Prince William Cup was designed by two of Wales’s leading contemporary designer jewellers, Mari Thomas from Llanelli and Nicola Palterman, who hails from Neath. Prince William took a keen interest in the concept of the trophy and was personally involved in its design, and the materials used. Made in silver with a solid Welsh oak base, the maps of Wales and South Africa are etched onto the surface to create a stunning effect. The hammered edges spiralling around the trophy represent the landscape and mountains of Wales, while inscribed on it are some words of one of Nelson Mandela’s most stirring quotes: “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”