British invasion of South Africa to kick off new Nations Championship

JUKY 2026 will see a historic northern hemisphere incursion as England, Scotland and Wales head to South Africa to kick off the inaugural Nations Championship, a groundbreaking new biennial rugby tournament set to reshape the global game. Every match will carry weight as the world’s top teams compete to finish the season as the planet’s leading Test side.

The Nations Championship is a landmark joint venture between SANZAAR and Six Nations Rugby, bringing together the 12 biggest rugby nations in a competitive tournament spanning two existing international windows in July and November. The SANZAAR nations, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Argentina, alongside invitational teams Japan and Fiji, will represent the Southern Hemisphere. They will face the Six Nations teams, England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales, in a tournament designed to redefine international rugby.

Following six rounds of intense competition, the tournament will culminate in a first-of-its-kind Finals Weekend at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, in London from 27 to 29 November 2026. This finale will feature three days of double-headers, creating an unmissable spectacle for players and fans alike.

For the mid-year Tests, South Africa will host England on July 4, Scotland on July 11, and Wales on July 18, marking some of the longest gaps between visits: Scotland last toured in 2014, England in 2018, and Wales in 2022. Later in the year, the Boks will travel to Europe to face Italy (November 6-8 ), France (November 13-15), and Ireland (November 21), completing fixtures against all Six Nations teams. Venues and kick-off times for the home Tests will be confirmed by SA Rugby in due course.

The tournament format will see all 12 nations compete for points: four for a win, two for a draw, zero for a loss, and bonus points for scoring four or more tries or losing by seven points or fewer. These points will determine group standings and ultimately decide the Finals Weekend schedule. The top-ranked Southern Hemisphere team will face the best Northern Hemisphere side for the title of inaugural champion, while the remaining teams compete for points contributing to the dominant hemisphere. Every match and every point will matter.

Rian Oberholzer, CEO of SA Rugby, said: “The Nations Championship will transform the existing international windows in July and November, meaning every Test will now count for more than just bragging rights and world ranking points. Kicking off with Tests against England, Scotland and Wales will provide the Boks with three tough fixtures and just the right preparation for rugby’s greatest rivalry against the All Blacks in August.”

Brendan Morris, CEO of SANZAAR, added: “The establishment of the Nations Championship is a historic and exciting move. SANZAAR nations, together with Japan and Fiji, will take on the best of Europe on a biennial basis. Fans, players, and broadcasters are excited, and we very much look forward to July 2026 when it all kicks off.”

Tom Harrison, CEO of Six Nations Rugby, described the tournament as a “tectonic shift in the sport”, adding that the Nations Championship will bring “intense sporting drama” and “unlock the true value of the sport” while creating new opportunities for fans and players globally.

Co-chairs Ronan Dunne and Mark Alexander echoed the transformative nature of the event, highlighting the collaboration between SANZAAR and Six Nations Rugby and the inclusion of Japan and Fiji as critical to delivering elite global rugby consistently.

The Nations Championship will not take place in 2027 due to the Rugby World Cup and the full Castle Lager Rugby Championship schedule. In 2028, the schedule will reverse, with France, Ireland and Italy visiting South Africa, while the Boks travel to the UK to face England, Scotland and Wales.

Fans can register for tickets and find full tournament information at https://nationschampionshiprugby.com/en.