Historic shift: Rugby Championship benched to make way for epic Bok-All Black tour
THE RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP
The Springboks won't defend their Rugby Championship title next season as the longstanding southern hemisphere tournament makes way for an International Tour Series. The next edition of the Championship will take place in 2027.
Image: AFP
The Greatest Rivalry tour between the Springboks and All Blacks, slated for August and September next year, is expected to be confirmed soon after Sanzaar — rugby’s governing body in the southern hemisphere — announced its new five-year schedule.
To make space for the full tour, a first since 1996, the Rugby Championship will be dropped from the 2026 calendar, with the long-standing competition set to return in 2027, a Rugby World Cup year.
However, the Boks will still get a chance to defend their title against New Zealand, Australia, and Argentina in a full Rugby Championship next season, with Sanzaar confirming it won’t be a shortened version as typically played in the lead-up to a World Cup.
This will give all four teams valuable preparation ahead of the tournament to be hosted in Australia.
The Championship will also feature in 2028 and 2029 before making way for another Springboks–All Blacks tour, this time in New Zealand, in 2030 — part of a broader shake-up to the southern hemisphere rugby calendar.
The new schedule also includes the proposed Nations Championship, set to be played in 2026, 2028, and 2030. The tournament will feature the twelve biggest rugby nations in the world, with the best players competing across two rounds of fixtures — in July and November every two years — to determine the dominant rugby nation and the balance of power between north and south.
“Looking ahead, our joint venture is committed to driving the next chapter of southern hemisphere rugby,” said Sanzaar CEO Brendan Morris in a statement.
“By collaborating closely with our unions and valued broadcasting and commercial partners, we’ve developed an innovative calendar designed to deliver thrilling rugby experiences and set new benchmarks for the game in the years to come.
“The future of southern hemisphere rugby is brighter than ever. Our member unions have a proud record on the international stage, and Sanzaar believes this new calendar will strengthen that record while delivering fans unparalleled excitement and access to the world’s best rugby.”