Rugby Championship 2025 news: What is the Rugby Championship? Who plays in it and when will it take place?
In the aftermath of the Lions’ successful tour of the Land Down Under, rugby fans worldwide will now set their eyes on the next major tournament: The Rugby Championship.
The Rugby Championship takes centre stage next weekend when it starts on Saturday, August 16.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s Aidan Leo takes a look at everything you need to know regarding the 2025 Rugby Championship.
What is the Rugby Championship?
The Rugby Championship is a tier-one international rugby tournament played in the southern hemisphere between four of the sport’s marquee countries.
Who plays in the Rugby Championship?
South Africa - The Springboks
New Zealand - The All Blacks
Argentina - Los Pumas
Australia - The Wallabies
Where will the Rugby Championship take place?
Each team hosts three home games and plays the other three away from home, for a total of six games per team.
This is because New Zealand and Australia each host a home game against one another, as a result of the Bledisloe Cup.
Generally, South Africa and Argentina split their encounters - one match in each country.
However, this season, the first clash between the two will be played in South Africa and the other on neutral territory, in England.
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What is the Bledisloe Cup?
The Bledisloe Cup is a historic three-game series played between New Zealand and Australia.
The first two games count toward the Rugby Championship league system and to the Bledisloe Cup
If the first two encounters are won by one team, no third match will take place.
If both sides clinch a victory in the first two matches, a third game will be hosted by the current holder of the Bledisloe Cup.
The third game will take place after the conclusion of the Rugby Championship.
The premise of the Bledisloe Cup is rooted in tradition and represents the historic rivalry between two powerhouses of world rugby.
Who are the key players for each team?
Springboks - Malcolm Marx, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Cheslin Kolbe
All Blacks - Ardie Savea, Cam Roigard, Beauden Barrett
Los Pumas - Julian Montoya, Pablo Matera, Santiago Chocobares
Wallabies - Taniela Tupou, Will Skelton, Rob Valetini
Which stadiums will host the Rugby Championship games?
South Africa - Ellis Park (Johannesburg), DHL Stadium (Cape Town), Kings Park (Durban)
New Zealand - Eden Park (Auckland - two games), Sky Stadium (Wellington)
Argentina - Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes (Cordoba), Estadio José Amalfitani (Buenos Aires)
Australia - Queensland Country Bank Stadium (Railway Estate), Allianz Stadium (Moore Park), Optus Stadium (Perth)
Neutral ground (Argentina vs South Africa) - Allianz Stadium (Twickenham)
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What are the fixtures for the 2025 Rugby Championship?
Saturday, August 16
South Africa vs Australia (Kick-off UK time - 16:10)
Argentina vs New Zealand (Kick-off UK time - 22:10)
Saturday, August 23
South Africa vs Australia (Kick-off UK time - 16:10)
Argentina vs New Zealand (Kick-off UK time - 22:10)
Saturday, September 6
Australia vs Argentina (Kick-off UK time - 05:30)
New Zealand vs South Africa (Kick-off UK time - 08:05)
Saturday, September 13
Australia vs Argentina (Kick-off UK time - 05:00)
New Zealand vs South Africa (Kick-off UK time - 08:05)
Saturday, September 27
New Zealand vs Australia (Kick-off UK time - 06:05)
South Africa vs Argentina (Kick-off UK time - 16:10)
Saturday, October 4
Australia vs New Zealand (Kick-off UK time - 10:45)
Argentina vs South Africa (Kick-off UK time - 14:00)
When will the Rugby Championship begin?
The Rugby Championship kicks off on Saturday, August 16.
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