A monumental shift in southern hemisphere rugby is here, as SANZAAR proudly announces the future of the Rugby Championship through 2030, creating ripples of excitement throughout the sport! This exciting development was unveiled through the release of the international rugby calendar covering the next five years, marking what many are calling a new and invigorating chapter for teams from the southern hemisphere.
The latest Rugby Championship, considered the fiercest yet since Argentina's Los Pumas joined the fold in 2012, has prompted a significant realignment. SANZAAR, comprising Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, has decided to implement a fresh calendar that features extended tours and a complete tournament leading up to the much-anticipated Rugby World Cup in 2027.
- The competition will take a hiatus in 2026 and 2030.
- For the first time ever, a full Rugby Championship is set to unfold before a Rugby World Cup.
- Multi-week tours are planned for 2026 and 2030.
- The calendar also accommodates the proposed Nations Championship from World Rugby, set to occur in 2026, 2028, and 2030.
- What will become of the iconic Bledisloe Cup?
- A notable opportunity is being overlooked due to New Zealand's hesitations.
Essential Details About the New Rugby Schedule
The announcement by SANZAAR on Thursday effectively concludes months of speculation. Interestingly, it seems a change of perspective took place following the exhilarating performances witnessed on the field this year.
Earlier in 2025, there were reports indicating that the four member unions had reached an agreement to shift towards a touring format for 2028. This raised concerns about the future of the tournament as we know it. Remarkably, Rugby Australia’s CEO, Phil Waugh, has been championing a change in this decision.
In the initial plans for 2028, the Wallabies were slated to embark on a three-match tour of New Zealand. Meanwhile, the All Blacks would reciprocate with a tour of Argentina, and the Springboks would also have been set to visit Australia. However, all of that has been overturned, maintaining the full Rugby Championship instead after the thrilling conclusion witnessed in the 2025 edition.
SANZAAR's Thursday announcement strongly suggests the inaugural 'Greatest Rivalry' tour will take place in 2026, featuring the All Blacks going head-to-head against the Springboks three times in South Africa. Additionally, they will play against four franchises from the United Rugby Championship (URC). Following this, the Springboks are scheduled for a tour to New Zealand in 2030 with a similar competitive structure.
In another major adjustment, the Rugby Championship is set to kick off again in 2027, this time as a complete tournament during the months of July and August. Previously, only a condensed version occurred in years where the Rugby World Cup took center stage. This change aims to better prepare the four nations for competing in the World Cup down under.
"Crucially, this calendar ensures a full Rugby Championship in a World Cup year for the first time in 2027. This allows our SANZAAR nations to engage in effective preparation leading up to the tournament," the statement emphasized.
What About the Bledisloe Cup in 2026 and 2030?
With the Springboks and the All Blacks alternating multi-week tours in 2026 and 2030, SANZAAR has confirmed that the Bledisloe Cup matches will still occur during those years. Australia and New Zealand are expected to clash in October following the buildup of the 'Greatest Rivalry Tours'; however, the exact number of encounters during those years has not yet been revealed.
Phil Waugh has expressed his support for reinstating the best-of-three Tests format for the series, something that hasn't been seen since 2021.
"It seems that fans everywhere are eager for a three-match Test series!" Waugh shared with enthusiasm during a conversation on Stan Sport. "A significant challenge facing global rugby is adjusting the calendar to allow this to happen, keeping in mind player welfare and preventing fatigue. However, successful tournaments typically employ an odd-numbered series, making a three-match format a sensible choice in this context."
The Nations Championship by World Rugby
The proposed calendar also unfolds plans for a new Nations Championship scheduled for 2026, 2028, and 2030. This championship aims to assemble the twelve top rugby nations, showcasing the cream of the sport's talent in two rounds of fixtures during July and November every two years. The primary goal is to determine which nation takes the crown and to examine the balance of power between the southern and northern hemispheres in rugby.
The competition is expected to feature a "European Conference," made up of the Six Nations unions (England, France, Italy, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales), alongside a "Rest of World Conference" that includes the SANZAAR nations and two other invitees, reportedly Fiji and Japan.
Engaging with Fans and Broadcasters
SANZAAR’s new calendar rollout incorporates not only the Men’s Rugby World Cup in 2027 but also the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2029, hosted in Australia, along with the 2029 tour from the British & Irish Lions to New Zealand.
In discussing the exciting unveiling of this global calendar, SANZAAR CEO Brendan Morris declared that the organization has taken the opinions of fans and broadcasters to heart in crafting this innovative schedule. "Looking forward, our collective venture is dedicated to shaping the next chapter of southern hemisphere rugby. By working closely with our Unions and valuable broadcasting partners, we've pieced together a pioneering calendar intended to deliver exhilarating rugby experiences and set new standards for the sport in the upcoming years," he stated.
"This new roadmap for southern hemisphere rugby prioritizes providing fans with the highest caliber of world-class action. After attentively listening to supporters and stakeholders alike, we’ve collaborated with the Unions to establish a bold and compelling agenda aiming to create unforgettable moments consistently. Be it at the stadium or at home, anticipate an exhilarating era filled with thrilling matches, fierce rivalries, and spectacular rugby encounters that prioritize our devoted fans. This marks a fresh beginning for southern hemisphere rugby, and we are eager for our supporters to journey with us through this thrilling path.
"The outlook for southern hemisphere rugby has never been so promising. Our member unions have a distinguished history on the global stage, and SANZAAR firmly believes that this innovative calendar will reinforce this legacy while providing fans with unmatched excitement and access to the finest rugby on the planet."
A Missed Opportunity?
While the confirmation of this calendar extending to 2030 is filled with promising developments, an evident opportunity seems to have been overlooked—the lack of synchronization with the Six Nations tournament.
There have been suggestions that the SANZAAR nations are inclined to shift the Rugby Championship to coincide with the same international window as the Six Nations. However, New Zealand Rugby has thus far remained hesitant. Imagine the possibilities if the Rugby Championship were moved to an earlier timeframe, aligning it with the northern hemisphere's premier international competition! It would create a unique unity in the global calendar unseen since rugby turned professional.
With this latest sign-off extending to 2030, a realignment looks less likely until a new schedule is established for 2031 and beyond. Nevertheless, the change of heart observed this year ignites a glimmer of hope that adjustments can be made ahead of time.
Reports from Rapport suggest that New Zealand Rugby might be "persuaded" to support the proposal for an earlier Rugby Championship if the Six Nations organizers decide to adjust their tournament dates by a fortnight.
What are your thoughts on this shifting dynamic in rugby? Do you see the potential for an aligned Rugby Championship and Six Nations calendar as a significant improvement, or do you think other factors take precedence? Share your perspectives in the comments below!
