The Rugby Championship, featuring World Cup holders the Springboks alongside New Zealand, Australia and Argentina, gets going on Saturday against a backdrop of mounting uncertainty as to the tournament’s future format.
New Zealand are heading to South Africa next year for an eight-match tour, including three Tests, during the usual August-October Championship window. This money-spinning tour means the Springboks and All Blacks cannot take part in a full double-round Championship as well.
Australia will host the 2027 Rugby World Cup, and the Championship has always been shortened from double to single round in World Cup years. To add to the confusion, South Africa have also agreed to tour New Zealand for eight matches in 2030.
Record four-time world champions South Africa take on Australia in what might be the last six-round Rugby Championship for quite some time, starting at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. A few hours later, nine-time Championship winners New Zealand face Argentina in Córdoba.
Springboks eye historic win in Auckland
Springbok supporters have been talking about one thing before this tournament – can South Africa beat their biggest rivals New Zealand in Auckland on 6 September? It would be their first win there since 1937.
Matches against Australia, including their return clash on 23 August in Cape Town, haven’t generated much buzz. The Wallabies have been struggling badly over the past two years.
Australia hit rock bottom
Australia made unwanted history at the 2023 World Cup in France – they became the first Australian team to miss the knockout stages. Last year, they suffered a crushing 40-point loss in Argentina and managed just one win in six Championship matches.
But their recent three-Test series against the British and Irish Lions showed real improvement. They lost the series 2-1 but bounced back to win the final Test 22-12 in a Sydney downpour, impressing with their renewed fight and passion.
Lions coach Andy Farrell was full of praise: “I think special things are going to happen for this team over the next 18 months. By the time the World Cup comes round, they will be a force to reckon with.”
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Springboks worried about Aussie revival
South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus has been particularly impressed with how the Australian pack, led by captain and number eight Harry Wilson, have been working at the breakdown – an area where the Springboks struggled during wins over Italy and Georgia.
“They really fight hard at the breakdowns and clean out well. We have to shut down that threat,” said Erasmus.
While South Africa are taking Australia more seriously now, history is on their side – the Springboks have won 10 of 11 Tests against the Wallabies at Ellis Park.
All Blacks cannot take Pumas lightly
In Córdoba, New Zealand will start as favourites against Argentina, but the days when an All Blacks win was guaranteed are long gone. New Zealand won 28 of the first 29 Tests between these teams, with one draw.
But the unpredictable Pumas have won three of their last 10 meetings with the All Blacks, including victories in Christchurch and Wellington.
“We want to play fast and be really strong at the set-pieces. Our team is trying to find its identity this year,” All Blacks prop Fletcher Newell told reporters in Córdoba.
New Zealand warmed up with three wins over France, though the French were missing key players like scrum-half Antoine Dupont. Argentina showed their inconsistent form by beating the British and Irish Lions in Dublin, then losing twice at home to a weakened England team.
“The key is getting plenty of ball to our backs. They can cause problems for any team,” said Argentina loose forward Marcos Kremer.
What’s next?
Saturday’s matches mark the beginning of what could be the final full Rugby Championship for several years. With tours and World Cup preparations taking priority, rugby fans might have to get used to a very different-looking tournament calendar.
The Rugby Championship kicks off tomorrow 16 August with South Africa hosting Australia at Ellis Park at 17:10, followed by New Zealand taking on Argentina in Córdoba at 23:10, SA time.
