The Springboks will host three Six Nations teams in July next year as the new Nations Championship launches with a northern invasion of the southern hemisphere.
England (4 July), Scotland (11 July) and Wales (18 July) will head to South Africa for the mid-year Tests.
It was also confirmed that the Boks will face Italy (weekend of 6-8 November), France (weekend of 13-15 November) and Ireland (21 November) in Europe next year to complete fixtures against all Six Nations teams.
Venues and kick-off times for the Boks’ three home Tests next July will be confirmed by SA Rugby in due course.
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The groundbreaking Nations Championship – a landmark joint venture between Sanzaar and Six Nations Rugby to create the new biennial tournament – was officially launched on Monday, with the 12 biggest nations in world rugby colliding in a competitive new tournament that will reshape the future of the global game.
The Sanzaar nations – South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Argentina – plus invitational teams Japan and Fiji, will represent the southern hemisphere in the new competition, played in the two existing international windows in July and November, against the Six Nations teams, England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales.
All 12 nations will compete for points – four for a win, two for a draw, zero for a loss, and bonus points for scoring four or more tries and losing by seven points or fewer – to determine the standings in their respective groups.
Following the six rounds, the Nations Championship will culminate in a first-of-its-kind finals weekend, which will be hosted at Twickenham in London next November.
By the conclusion of the Nations Championship finals weekend, players and fans will know the best nation in the sport, and where the balance of power lies between the two hemispheres, outside a World Cup.
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The Nations Championship will not take place in 2027 as it’s a World Cup year, with a full Castle Lager Rugby Championship also on the schedule.
In 2028, the Nations Championship schedule will be reversed, with France, Ireland and Italy coming to South Africa, while the Boks will face England, Scotland and Wales in the UK.
“The Nations Championship will transform the existing international windows in July and November, which means every Test will now count for more than just bragging rights and world ranking points,” said SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer.
“This new competition changes the global game as we know it, and from SA Rugby and the Springboks’ side, we are very excited about what the future holds.
“Kicking off with Tests against England, Scotland and Wales will provide the Boks with three tough Tests and just the right preparation for Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry against the All Blacks, which follows in August.
“Scotland’s last visit to South Africa was in 2014, England haven’t been here since 2018, and Wales last came to us in 2022, so we can’t wait to welcome them back.”
Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
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