Smal, who was attending a press conference along with Bulls coach Rudy Joubert and the respective team captains Victor Matfield (Bulls) and Corné Krige (Stormers), was attempting to place the trophy on its pedestal when disaster struck - and he could only look on as the match organisers and media burst out laughing.

George Grant, the Arabian Gulf Rugby Union Chairman, was remarkably cool about the accident, telling the media: "I just hope this isn’t an omen for the Stormers this season."

Smal, after finally regaining his composure, quipped that the Stormers had "already taken out their first trophy of the season".

Grant assured the teams that there would be more to play for than some shattered glass, with a new trophy to be supplied in time for the highly-anticipated match that could become an annual fixture.

But Willem Strauss, the match promoter, indicated that the event could be expanded into a pre-season tournament, with plans to invite top clubs from Europe.

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