A seismic shift in international rugby is on the horizon. The Springboks will welcome England, Scotland, and Wales to South Africa in July 2026 as the inaugural Nations Championship kicks off, ushering in a new era of global competition where every Test match carries weight beyond rankings and bragging rights.
The Nations Championship, a joint venture between SANZAAR and Six Nations Rugby, will bring together the 12 biggest rugby nations in a biennial showdown. Representing the Southern Hemisphere will be South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, plus invitational sides Japan and Fiji.
They’ll face off against the Six Nations contingent: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales.
The competition will unfold across the traditional July and November Test windows, culminating in a first-of-its-kind Finals Weekend at London’s Allianz Stadium in November 2026.
Springbok Fixtures
South Africa’s campaign begins with three blockbuster home Tests:
- England – 4 July 2026
- Scotland – 11 July 2026
- Wales – 18 July 2026
Later in the year, the Boks will head north to face:
- Italy – 6–8 November 2026
- France – 13–15 November 2026
- Ireland – 21 November 2026
Venues and kick-off times for the July Tests will be confirmed by SA Rugby in due course.
Finals Weekend: A Rugby Spectacle
From 27–29 November 2026, Allianz Stadium will host three consecutive days of double-headers, creating a festival of elite rugby. The top-ranked Northern Hemisphere team will clash with the best from the South to crown the inaugural champion. Meanwhile, every other fixture will still matter, as teams battle for points to determine which hemisphere reigns supreme.
Rian Oberholzer, CEO of SA Rugby, hailed the tournament as transformative:
“Every Test will now count for more than just bragging rights and world ranking points. Kicking off with England, Scotland, and Wales gives us the perfect preparation for Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry against the All Blacks.”
Brendan Morris, CEO of SANZAAR, emphasised the historic nature of the competition:
“The Nations Championship is an exciting move that will see SANZAAR nations, with Fiji and Japan, take on Europe’s best on a biennial basis.”
Tom Harrison, CEO of Six Nations Rugby, called it a tectonic shift:
“By bringing together the best teams and players, the Nations Championship will redefine rugby’s future and stand alongside the world’s greatest sporting competitions.”
How It Works
- Points system: 4 for a win, 2 for a draw, 0 for a loss
- Bonus points: awarded for scoring four or more tries or losing by seven points or fewer
- Standings from July and November will determine Finals Weekend fixtures
With Japan and Fiji completing the 12-team lineup, the Nations Championship promises consistent opportunities for emerging rugby powers while delivering a truly global spectacle. The tournament will not be held in 2027 due to the Rugby World Cup, but will return in 2028 with reversed fixtures.
The Nations Championship is set to reshape rugby’s calendar, intensify rivalries, and crown the ultimate champion outside of the World Cup.
Fans can register for ticketing updates at nationschampionshiprugby.com.
