Following the announcement that New Zealand and South Africa will begin bilateral tours every four years starting in 2026, significant questions have arisen regarding the future of The Rugby Championship (TRC). This development has prompted concerns about how these tours will affect the existing tournament structure.
Reports surfaced in early September suggesting that New Zealand Rugby (NZR) and the South African Rugby Union (SARU) are ready to bypass their SANZAAR partners, Rugby Australia and the Unión Argentina de Rugby, in favor of organizing their own tours. Under the new agreement, South Africa will host the first tour in 2026, followed by New Zealand in 2030. This arrangement will include matches where the All Blacks face the four South African teams in the United Rugby Championship (URC)—the Lions, Sharks, Bulls, and Stormers—as well as a match against South Africa A and three Tests against the world champion Springboks. This would mark New Zealand’s first full tour of South Africa in 30 years.
With the impending changes, the status of The Rugby Championship in 2026 and 2030 remains unclear. Reports from New Zealand indicate a preference from NZR for the TRC not to be held during tour years. Conversely, SARU has expressed a desire to conduct a single round of the TRC, similar to what occurs during Rugby World Cup years. SARU CEO Rian Oberholzer emphasized that while the TRC would continue, they are advocating for a single round, with potential arrangements for one-off Test matches against Argentina and Australia if necessary.
In addition, NZR has confirmed its commitment to two Bledisloe Cup matches during those tour years, making the situation even more intricate as the involvement of SANZAAR partners in TRC could come into question.
SANZAAR declined to comment on their potential role in these discussions or provide clarity on how the new tour arrangements may impact The Rugby Championship, citing the complexities surrounding the upcoming broadcast cycle and the newly introduced Nations Championship.
From Rugby Australia’s perspective, Chairman Daniel Herbert has hinted at potential compensation for the loss of TRC matches involving the Springboks and All Blacks due to these tours. Some speculate that the financial advantages of the NZ-SA tours could lead to real discussions around compensation.
As plans advance for the 2026 and 2030 rugby calendars, questions remain regarding how TRC gaps will be filled. Discussions have arisen regarding the possible inclusion of Japan and Fiji in The Rugby Championship, especially as a means to enhance competition and fill any vacancies left by the touring nations.
The notion of incorporating these teams, currently ranked 6th, 9th, 10th, and 14th globally, into a single tournament settings has generated excitement. Many believe that the contrasting styles of play from these nations could provide thrilling competitions.
Observers argue that including teams like Japan and Fiji, particularly during those tour years, could not only bring more international matches to their home grounds but also stimulate the growth of rugby infrastructures and fan engagement in those countries.
The sentiment around expanding The Rugby Championship has grown, particularly after Japan’s impressive hosting of the Rugby World Cup in 2019 and Fiji’s performance in recent international competitions. Despite slow progress, conversations surrounding potential expansion have resurfaced as countries seek to enhance their rugby positions.
With ongoing discussions about broadcast deals for 2026, it will be interesting to see how SANZAAR and its members adapt to the changing landscape of international rugby and whether inclusivity can become part of the new tournament structure. The prospect of expanding The Rugby Championship to include exciting teams like Fiji and Japan, satisfying both fans and broadcasters alike, remains a tantalizing possibility.
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