From the moment it was announced that New Zealand and South Africa’s rugby unions had agreed to a series of bilateral tours starting in 2026, key questions have arisen regarding the future of The Rugby Championship. The historical rivalry between the two nations, highlighted by a thrilling Rugby World Cup final, has led to speculation that they may bypass their SANZAAR partners, Rugby Australia and the Argentine Rugby Union, to organize their own tour arrangements.
With the Nations Championship, driven by SANZAAR and Six Nations Rugby, set to debut in 2026, the agreement between New Zealand Rugby (NZR) and the South African Rugby Union (SARU) suggests that South Africa will host in 2026 and New Zealand in 2030. Additionally, the All Blacks are expected to play against all four South African URC teams—Lions, Sharks, Bulls, and Stormers—along with a match against South Africa A and three Test matches against the reigning world champion Springboks. This tour would mark New Zealand’s first comprehensive visit to South Africa in thirty years.
However, responses regarding the implications for The Rugby Championship in 2026 and 2030 have varied significantly. Reports from New Zealand indicated a desire from NZR to not hold The Rugby Championship during tour years, while other sources mentioned SARU’s inclination to reduce it to a single round, similar to Rugby World Cup years. SARU CEO Rian Oberholzer remarked, “The Rugby Championship will still happen, but it will probably be a single round, which we are pushing for.”
NZR also confirmed their commitment to playing two Bledisloe Cup matches in both 2026 and 2030. The prospect of having SANZAAR partners play against each other while excluding them from The Rugby Championship seems unusual.
With complex negotiations for the 2026 broadcast cycle underway, SANZAAR opted not to elaborate on their involvement in the discussions surrounding the NZR/SARU tour arrangements and their impact on The Rugby Championship.
Rugby Australia’s Chairman, Daniel Herbert, hinted at compensations for Australia and Argentina considering the loss of their fixtures against South Africa and New Zealand. Some believe it might benefit Rugby Australia and the Unión Argentina de Rugby (UAR) to forgo the Championship during the tour years.
As 2026 and 2030 approach, Rugby Australia must navigate gaps left by the absence of The Rugby Championship. In light of this, a recent discussion on a podcast resurfaced the idea of incorporating Japan and Fiji into The Rugby Championship as temporary participants during these tour years.
Sean Maloney of Stan Sport expressed enthusiasm about the potential inclusion of Japan and Fiji, noting the vibrant fan support that both nations command. He argued that this could provide Australians with a better understanding of the rugby culture in those countries through travel experiences.
With Fiji currently ranked ninth and Japan fourteenth in world rugby standings, combining these teams into a tournament format could yield exciting matchups. The varied playing styles would enhance the viewing experience, making up for any potential gaps in The Rugby Championship in those years.
The idea of expanding The Rugby Championship has been discussed since Japan’s successful 2019 World Cup as hosts, and further momentum was gained as Fiji advanced to the knockout stages in the 2023 World Cup. However, the development of the Nations Championship has stalled any advancement in discussions regarding the inclusion of these teams.
Fiji’s ascent in the rugby world is noteworthy, having shifted to a ninth-place ranking thanks to recent achievements, while Japan faces challenges in maintaining its ranking due to coaching changes. Both nations stand to benefit from additional exposure against elite teams, especially with the potential to host major tournaments on their home turf.
Mark Evans, CEO of the Fijian Drua, emphasized that the Nations Championship—with Fiji included—would be pivotal for the growth of rugby in Fiji, showcasing the immense passion for the sport in the region.
The introduction of this championship could finally bring top-tier rugby back to Fiji, a location that hasn’t seen international teams like the Wallabies or All Blacks compete there since 1984.
While economic challenges often inhibit top teams from touring Fiji, the current excitement around local support indicates a viable market. Expanded rugby offerings, especially in home venues, would foster economic growth while reinforcing the existing rugby pathways developed in Fiji.
Overall, bringing in teams such as Japan and Fiji into The Rugby Championship structure—even if only during certain years—could present significant benefits not just for the teams involved but for overall rugby development and engagement throughout the region. The prospect remains to be seen, as decisions regarding the Rugby Championship continue to evolve.