SANZAAR Confirms The Rugby Championship Future Until 2029
SANZAAR has ensured the continuity of the Rugby Championship, which will be played in its entirety until the year 2029. This decision puts an end to speculation about the future of the tournament, especially in light of South Africa and New Zealand’s tour plans in 2026 and 2030. Following an agreement between the four participating nations, the tournament of the southern hemisphere will continue. Due to the All Blacks’ tour of South Africa in 2026 and its counterpart in 2030, the Rugby Championship will not take place in those years. Instead, SANZAAR confirmed that “multi-week international tours” will take place during the August and September windows. It is speculated that South Africa could visit Argentina and Australia, while the Bledisloe Cup will continue to be contested between Australia and New Zealand in 2026. A notable fact is that, for the first time, a complete Rugby Championship tournament will be played in a World Cup year. The 12 matches will take place before the global tournament in Australia in 2027. The calendar also includes the Nations Championship, which will debut in July and November of next year. This tournament will feature the four SANZAAR nations, plus Fiji and Japan, facing the Six Nations of the northern hemisphere: England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, France and Italy. The final will be played at Twickenham to determine the dominant nation in rugby between both hemispheres.
Morris added that this new calendar seeks to offer fans the highest level of rugby and action. In addition, after listening to the opinions of fans, broadcasters and other interested parties, work has been done on a bold and dynamic program to offer unforgettable moments every year. The future of rugby in the southern hemisphere is promising, according to Morris. Member unions have a proud history on the international stage, and SANZAAR believes that this new schedule will strengthen that history, providing fans with unparalleled excitement and access to the best rugby in the world.“Looking ahead, our joint venture is committed to driving the next chapter of southern hemisphere rugby. By collaborating closely with our unions and valued broadcast and commercial partners, we have developed an innovative schedule designed to deliver exciting rugby experiences and set new benchmarks for the game in the years to come,” stated Brendan Morris, SANZAAR chief.
Brendan Morris, SANZAAR chief
SANZAAR Calendar 2026-2030
- 2026:
- July: Nations Championship
- August/September: International Tour Series
- October: Bledisloe Cup
- November: Nations Championship
- 2027:
- July/August: The Rugby Championship
- October/November: Men’s Rugby World Cup
- 2028:
- July: Nations Championship
- August/September: The Rugby Championship
- November: Nations Championship
- 2029:
- July: Lions tour to New Zealand & inbound tours
- August/September: The Rugby Championship
- November: Northern Autumn Series
- 2030:
- July: Nations Championship
- August/September: International Tour Series
- October: Bledisloe Cup
- November: Nations Championship
