What is the Nations Championship, and who do the Springboks play in 2026?
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The Nations Championship is a new international competition that started in 2026, run by SANZAAR and Six Nations Rugby. It has 12 teams in two groups of six:
- Southern group: South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, Japan and Fiji.
- Northern group: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales.
Each nation plays seven matches: one against each of the six teams in the other group (Rounds 1-6), then one at the Finals Weekend in London.
Springbok fixtures in 2026
| Round | Date | Match |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sat 4 July | South Africa v England |
| 2 | Sat 11 July | South Africa v Scotland |
| 3 | Sat 18 July | South Africa v Wales |
| 4 | 6-8 November | Italy v South Africa |
| 5 | 13-15 November | France v South Africa |
| 6 | Sat 21 November | Ireland v South Africa |
| Finals Weekend | 27-29 November | v the Northern team in the same group position |
Added 22 Oct 2026