What Happened
The Nations Championship, described by SA Rugby president Mark Alexander as the “biggest step forward” for rugby since professionalism began 30 years ago, is set to commence on July 4. This groundbreaking tournament will feature 42 matches among 12 nations, culminating in a showdown between the best teams from the southern and northern hemispheres at Twickenham in November.
Why It Matters
The Nations Championship signifies a historic collaboration between the four SANZAAR countries—South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, and Argentina—and the Six Nations teams from the north, including France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Wales, and England. Alexander emphasized that this tournament is more than just a competition; it represents a commitment to unity and ambition in the sport, aiming to shape rugby’s future through partnership rather than fragmentation.
What’s Next
The tournament will kick off with six matches per round over three consecutive weekends, hosted by southern hemisphere teams. Following this, the southern teams will travel north, where they will compete against all six northern teams. Points will be awarded based on match outcomes, contributing to separate tables for each hemisphere.
