The 2026 Nations Championship is here.
The Nations Championship debuts in July 2026. Two groups of teams competing in a Northern versus Southern Hemisphere tournament format across six rounds, with three fixtures in July and again in November, before culminating in the first of
Boks remain top but All Blacks close gap to 2.90 points after Nations Championship opener
South Africa stay top of the World Rugby Men's Rankings at 93.94 points but New Zealand have cut the gap to 2.90 after beating France, while Scotland climb to equal their all-time high of fifth following a record 47-38 win over Argentina in Córdoba.
Erasmus reveals SARU blocked late Janse van Rensburg capping push
Rassie Erasmus has revealed SARU blocked a late push to cap Benhard Janse van Rensburg after he gave CEO Jurie Roux an early assurance the Bristol Bears centre was not an immediate selection target — a promise Roux then committed to World Rugby and England.
Erasmus: 'We don't see the Nations Championship as a competition'
Erasmus says the Boks won't adjust their approach to chase Nations Championship log points — each Test is treated as a standalone match, with squad rotation across the window as the priority over competition standings.
Smith vows England will 'leave it all out there' against Springboks
Marcus Smith says England's 36-man squad, arriving in Johannesburg on Thursday, are targeting a historic win over the Springboks in the Nations Championship opener, having trained in oxygen masks to prepare for the Highveld.
Contepomi: Boks have cracked the balance — and that's what makes them dangerous
Contepomi argues the Boks' real danger lies in their evolving balance between forward dominance and expansive attack — and flags sustained possession as the best way to exploit their defence.