Following the announcement of a new agreement for New Zealand and South Africa to conduct quadrennial tours starting in 2026, the fate of The Rugby Championship has become a significant topic of discussion in southern hemisphere rugby. This rivalry, steeped in over a hundred years of history and highlighted by a thrilling Rugby World Cup final, has prompted speculation about the impact of this decision on the existing competition framework.
In early September, reports indicated that New Zealand Rugby and the South African Rugby Union were close to bypassing their SANZAAR partners, Rugby Australia and the Unión Argentina de Rugby, to establish their own tour arrangements. The newly proposed schedule suggests South Africa will host the tour in 2026, while New Zealand will take its turn in 2030. The touring series is set to involve the All Blacks playing against all four South African URC teams as well as three prestigious Test matches against the Springboks, marking New Zealand’s first full tour of South Africa in 30 years.
However, alongside this news came varying reports regarding the status of The Rugby Championship during the tour years. While some New Zealand sources indicated a preference to cancel the competition in those years, South African sources suggested a single-round format akin to Rugby World Cup years.
Rian Oberholzer, CEO of SARU, mentioned, “The Rugby Championship will still happen, but it will probably be a single round, which we are pushing for.” He also noted that if the Championship does not take place, they are open to arranging one-off Test matches against Argentina and Australia.
Both New Zealand Rugby and SARU have confirmed their commitment to two Bledisloe Cup matches in 2026 and 2030, leading to an expectation that any matches against their SANZAAR allies would likely still factor into The Rugby Championship’s history.
With various details still unresolved, SANZAAR declined to comment on their involvement in the tour discussions or the future implications for The Rugby Championship, citing complications related to the upcoming broadcast cycle.
From Rugby Australia’s standpoint, Chairman Daniel Herbert hinted at potential compensation arrangements for the impact on Australia and Argentina from the shortened Championship schedules, suggesting that the tours could provide substantial commercial advantages.
As the rugby calendar for 2026 and 2030 seems to create voids in the existing competition structure, discussion has arisen about including Japan and Fiji in The Rugby Championship during the tour years. This idea has generated interest among rugby commentators, indicating that both nations would enhance the competitive landscape due to their distinct playing styles and growing fan bases.
Sean Maloney, a prominent voice in Australian rugby media, expressed enthusiasm about the potential inclusion of Japan and Fiji. He pointed out that such matches could attract fans and fill stadiums in both countries, enhancing the overall rugby experience for supporters.
With Japan and Fiji currently ranked 14th and 9th respectively in the world, their inclusion could not only fill gaps left by the tour years but also contribute to a more diverse competition format, sparking further interest in rugby across the globe.
The concept of expanding The Rugby Championship has gained traction over recent years, especially following Japan’s successful World Cup hosting in 2019 and Fiji’s advancing rugby program. However, the recent establishment of the Nations Championship has stalled progress toward this expansion.
While Fiji continues to grow its national team profile under coach Mick Byrne, opportunities for matches against higher-ranked teams remain limited. The potential for the Nations Championship, if implemented, could pave the way for more home fixtures against top-tier nations, allowing Fiji to showcase its talent on its home turf.
The economic constraints have often been cited as a reason for the lack of international tours in Fiji. Yet, the record attendance at local matches suggests a strong market exists for rugby in the country, which could be harnessed with smart management.
Whatever the outcome, the discussions surrounding the Rugby Championship and its potential expansion to include teams like Japan and Fiji continue to excite rugby fans, with the hope that the future will see greater inclusivity and representation in international competitions.