The Rugby Championship 2024 promises to be an electrifying showcase of southern hemisphere rugby talent, bringing together the powerhouses of the sport: New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, and Argentina. As one of the premier international rugby tournaments, this year’s competition is set to deliver thrilling matches, intense rivalries, and world-class performances. With each team vying for supremacy, the stakes are higher than ever, particularly with the Rugby World Cup looming on the horizon. New Zealand’s All Blacks will be determined to reclaim their dominance, while South Africa’s Springboks, fresh off a strong World Cup showing, aim to solidify their status as the top team. Meanwhile, Australia and Argentina are hungry for upsets and eager to prove their mettle. Rugby fans can expect nothing less than a festival of top-tier rugby, packed with hard-hitting action and unforgettable moments.
Overview of the Rugby Championship 2024
| Dates | 10 August 2024 to 28 September 2024 |
| Participating Teams | New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, Argentina |
| Defending Champions | New Zealand |
| Team with most Titles | New Zealand (20) |
| First Season | 1996 (originally known as the Tri Nations) |
| First Title Winner | New Zealand |
| TV & Streaming Coverage | Sky Sport (UK), NOW TV (USA), Stan Sport (Australia), SuperSport (South Africa) |
Fixtures for Rugby Championship 2024
Each team’s quest for the championship starts with the kick-off on the weekend of August 10. Below are the fixtures set for the tournament:
| Date | Fixture | Venue | Kick-off Time (BST / SAST / AEST / NZST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, 10 August 2024 | Australia vs. South Africa | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane | 5:30 a.m. / 6:30 a.m. / 2:30 p.m. / 4:30 p.m. |
| New Zealand vs. Argentina | Wellington | 8:05 a.m. / 9:05 a.m. / 5:05 p.m. / 7:05 p.m. | |
| Saturday, 17 August 2024 | New Zealand vs. Argentina | Wellington | 8:05 a.m. / 9:05 a.m. / 5:05 p.m. / 7:05 p.m. |
| Australia vs. South Africa | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane | 10:45 a.m. / 11:45 a.m. / 7:45 a.m. / 9:45 a.m. | |
| Saturday, 31 August 2024 | South Africa vs. New Zealand | Ellis Park, Johannesburg | 4:00 p.m. / 5:00 p.m. / – / – |
| Argentina vs. Australia | Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza | 11:00 p.m. / 12:00 a.m. (Sunday) / – / – | |
| Saturday, 7 September 2024 | South Africa vs. New Zealand | Newlands, Cape Town | 4:00 p.m. / 5:00 p.m. / – / – |
| Argentina vs. Australia | Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza | 8:00 p.m. / 9:00 p.m. / – / – | |
| Saturday, 21 September 2024 | Australia vs. New Zealand | ANZ Stadium, Sydney | 6:45 a.m. / 7:45 a.m. / – / – |
| Argentina vs. South Africa | Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires | 10:00 p.m. / 11:00 p.m. / – / – | |
| Saturday, 28 September 2024 | New Zealand vs. Australia | Eden Park, Auckland | 8:05 a.m. / 9:05 a.m. / – / – |
| South Africa vs. Argentina | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria | 4:00 p.m. / 5:00 p.m. / – / – |
Squads for Rugby Championship 2024
Each participating nation has announced its squad for the 2024 competition, with a total of 23 players selected for each test match. Coaches have carefully chosen a blend of seasoned players and newcomers to create teams capable of delivering thrilling performances. Below is a summary of the squads:
Argentina
Forwards: Eduardo Bello, Agustin Creevy, Efrain Elias, Thomas Gallo, Juan Gonzalez, Marcos Kremer, Tomas Lavanini, Pablo Matera, Franco Molina, Julian Montoya, Joaquin Oviedo, Juan Pedemont, Pedro Rubiolo, Ignacio Ruiz, Jel Sclavi, Lucio Sordoni, Mayco Vivas
Backs: Tomas Albornoz, Lautaro Velez, Gonzalo Bertranou, Martin Bogado, Mateo Carreras, Santiago Carreras, Santiago Chocobares, Lucio Cinti, Santiago Cordero, Bautista Delguy, Gonzalo Garcia, Juan Cruz Mallia, Matias Moroni, Matias Orlando
Australia
Forwards: Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Bell, Angus Blyth, Matt Faessler, Nick Forst, Tom Hooper, Isaac Kailea, Josh Nasser, Zan Nonggorr, Billy Pollard, Luke Reimer, Lukhan Salakai-Loto, James Slipper, Carlo Tizzano, Taniela Tupou, Seru Uru, Rob Valentini, Jeremy Williams, Harry Wilson
Backs: Filip Daugunu, Ben Donaldson, Josh Flook, Jake Gordon, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway, Marika Koroibete, Noah Lolesio, Tom Lynagh, Tate McDermott, Hunter Paisami, Dylan Pietsch, Hamish Stewart, Corey Toole, Nic White, Tom Wright
New Zealand
Forwards: Asafo Aumua, Codie Taylor, George Bell, Ethan de Groot, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Tamaiti Williams, Scott Barrett, Tupou Vaa’i, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Darry, Ethan Blackadder, Sam Cane, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson, Dalton Papali’i, Ardie Savea, Wallace Sititi
Backs: Noah Hotham, TJ Perenara, Cortez Ratima, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Jordie Barrett, David Havili, Reiko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Billy Proctor, Caleb Clarke, Will Jordan, Ruben Love, Stephen Perofeta, Sevu Reece, Mark Tele’a
South Africa
Forwards: Ben-Jason Dixon, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Thomas du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Johan Grobbelaar, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Elrigh Louw, Frans Malherbe, Malcom Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Salmaan Moerat, Ox Niche, Ruan Nortje, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Gerhard Steenekamp, Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels
Backs: Lukhanyo Am, Kurt-Lee Ardendse, Damian de Allende, Aphelele Fassi, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, William Le Roux, Makazole Mapimpi, Manie Libbok, Handre Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Morne van den Berg, Grant Williams These squads illustrate the strength and depth of talent within each nation, setting the stage for an exciting competition.
Historical Success and Records
The Rugby Championship, initially known as the Tri Nations before Argentina’s inclusion in 2012, has a rich history. Since its establishment in 1996, New Zealand has been the dominant team, clinching the title a record 20 times. South Africa has secured the championship once, while Australia has also taken home the title on one occasion. Notably, Argentina is yet to claim a championship victory. Here’s a quick glimpse of the last few years’ winners:
- 2023 – New Zealand
- 2022 – New Zealand
- 2021 – New Zealand
- 2020 – New Zealand
- 2019 – South Africa
Conclusion
The Rugby Championship 2024 stands poised to be another exhilarating display of rugby prowess. With historic rivalries, star-studded lineups, and an array of fixtures to look forward to, fans can expect pulse-pounding action as teams strive to assert their dominance. Mark your calendars and prepare for a rugby season like no other, as nations go head-to-head in pursuit of glory in the Southern Hemisphere!
