Regarding the future of the Rugby Championship, Sanzaar confirmed that the tournament will be held in full from 2027, 2028 and 2029.
After months of speculation about the future of the competition, with Australia and Argentina left in the cold, an agreement has finally been reached between the four nations to continue the Southern Hemisphere competition, in light of scheduled tours between South Africa and New Zealand, dubbed the “biggest rivals in the history of rugby”, in 2026 and 2030.
Given the All Blacks’ tour of South Africa in 2026 and reciprocal tour in 2030, SANZAAR has confirmed that the RC will not take place and instead a “multi-week international tour” will take place from August to September. Previous reports suggested the Bledisloe Cup would remain contested between Australia and New Zealand in 2026, while South Africa were likely to travel to Argentina and Australia.
Meanwhile, the first full RC tournament will be held in a World Cup year, with a total of 12 matches, ahead of the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
The calendar also includes the previously reported Nations Championship, which will debut in the July and November test periods next year.
The tournament will pit all four SANZAAR nations plus Fiji and Japan against six Northern Hemisphere nations (England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, France and Italy), with the final to be played at Twickenham to determine the rugby powerhouses in both hemispheres.
SANZAAR President Brendan Morris said: “Looking to the future, our joint venture is committed to driving the next chapter of Southern Hemisphere rugby.” “By working closely with the unions and our valued broadcast and commercial partners, we have developed an innovative calendar that aims to deliver a thrilling rugby experience and set a new benchmark for the game for years to come.
“This new calendar for Southern Hemisphere rugby is all about delivering the highest level of world-class rugby and action to fans. Indeed, after listening to the wishes of our supporters, broadcasters and stakeholders, we have worked with the unions to create a bold, dynamic schedule designed to deliver unforgettable moments each year.
“This is a new dawn for Southern Hemisphere rugby and we can’t wait for our fans to join us on this exciting journey.
“The future of rugby in the Southern Hemisphere is brighter than ever. Our member unions have a proud record on the international stage and SANZAAR believes this new calendar will help strengthen this record, while providing fans with unparalleled excitement and access to the best rugby in the world.”
Sanzaar Calendar 2026-2030
2026:
July: Nations Championship
August/September: International Tour Series
October: Bledisloe Cup
November: Nations Championship
2027:
July/August: Rugby Championship
October/November: Men’s Rugby World Cup
2028:
July: Nations Championship
August/September: Rugby Championship
November: Nations Championship
2029:
July: Lions New Zealand tour and inbound tour
August/September: Rugby Championship
November: Northern Autumn Series
2030:
July: Nations Championship
August/September: International Tour Series
October: Bledisloe Cup
November: Nations Championship