LONDON – For the first time in Rugby Championship history, the tournament’s final match will be played in the northern hemisphere when South Africa takes on Argentina at Twickenham Stadium in London on Saturday.
The unprecedented move sees Argentina forfeit home advantage, hosting the Springboks over 11 265 km from Buenos Aires at the 82 000-capacity Allianz Stadium.
The decision represents a significant commercial gamble by the Argentina Rugby Union (UAR), with the match potentially generating substantially more revenue than any fixture played on home soil.
Argentina’s largest rugby venues – Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes in Córdoba and José Amalfitani Stadium in Buenos Aires – hold just 57 000 and 48 000 spectators respectively, significantly fewer than Twickenham’s capacity.
Industry sources suggest the UAR can command premium London ticket prices, making this Rugby Championship fixture a potential windfall for the cash-conscious union.
The match follows last weekend’s encounter in Durban, where the Springboks demolished Argentina 67-30 in what many considered a one-sided affair.
Despite technically being Argentina’s home fixture, the London venue may inadvertently favour South Africa due to the capital’s substantial South African expatriate population.
This clash will be the final Rugby Championship match until 2027, adding significance to the London showdown.
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While unprecedented for these two nations, Twickenham has hosted Rugby Championship action before. In October 2016, Australia defeated Argentina 33-21 at the venue.
The Springboks have enjoyed recent success at Twickenham, crushing New Zealand 35-7 in August 2023 and defeating Wales 41-13 in June 2024.
Following Saturday’s encounter, South Africa will remain in London to face Japan at Wembley Stadium on 1 November, further cementing the capital’s importance as a neutral rugby venue.
The match kicks off at 15:00 (SA time) and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
Springbok team to face Argentina in London:
15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements:
16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Jesse Kriel
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