With the announcement that New Zealand and South Africa’s rugby unions have agreed to establish quadrennial bilateral tours starting in 2026, questions have arisen regarding the future of The Rugby Championship. Reports indicate that these two rugby giants, whose rivalry is steeped in history and was heightened by a thrilling Rugby World Cup final, have decided to forge their own path, potentially sidelining their SANZAAR counterparts, Rugby Australia and Unión Argentina de Rugby.
The new arrangement includes South Africa hosting in 2026 and New Zealand in 2030, featuring the All Blacks competing against four South African URC teams—Lions, Sharks, Bulls, and Stormers—along with a match against South Africa A and three Tests against the reigning World Champions. This will mark New Zealand’s first complete tour of South Africa in 30 years.
The implications for The Rugby Championship in the years of these tours remain unclear, with conflicting reports suggesting that New Zealand Rugby prefers to suspend the Championship during these years, while South Africa Rugby Union advocates for a single-round format similar to what occurs in Rugby World Cup years. SARU CEO Rian Oberholzer expressed that the Championship will proceed, but likely in a limited format, and emphasized their willingness to arrange one-off Test matches against Argentina and Australia if necessary.
Both rugby unions have also committed to maintaining two Bledisloe Cup matches during the tour years, raising questions about the SANZAAR partners’ roles in the Championship. SANZAAR was approached for comment regarding their involvement and the implications for The Rugby Championship but opted not to provide details, citing the complexities of the upcoming broadcast cycle starting in 2026.
From the perspective of Rugby Australia, Chairman Daniel Herbert mentioned the need for compensation for the potential loss of fixtures against South Africa and New Zealand, suggesting that the commercial opportunities presented by the bilateral tours could factor into future discussions.
Looking ahead, the rugby calendar for 2026 and 2030 could leave significant gaps that need to be filled, leading to discussions about the possibility of including Japan and Fiji in The Rugby Championship. This idea was discussed in a podcast featuring rugby analyst Sean Maloney, who emphasized the enthusiasm and strong fan bases of both nations. The inclusion of these teams could enhance the competition and provide a platform for rugby in Japan and Fiji to grow.
Despite Japan’s recent slip in rankings and Fiji’s rise, both nations are viewed as valuable additions to an expanded Rugby Championship, especially during the years when New Zealand and South Africa are engaged in their tours. The idea has gained traction over the years, especially after Japan’s impressive performance as Rugby World Cup hosts in 2019 and Fiji’s success in recent competitions.
As rugby authorities continue to navigate the evolving landscape, opportunities to fill the gaps in the rugby schedule with matches involving these emerging teams could pave the way for a more inclusive and competitive environment within the sport. The upcoming discussions around broadcast negotiations and the potential for expanded formats will determine the future structure of The Rugby Championship and its role in cultivating rugby on a global scale.