Rugby-Heavyweights begin 2027 World Cup squad build in Rugby Championship

With the new Rugby Nations Championship to start in 2026, this will be the last southern hemisphere tournament until a likely shortened version ahead of the 2027 World Cup.

HEAVYWEIGHTS: South Africa and Australia open this year’s championship at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday, while Argentina and New Zealand clash in their round one opener in Cordoba later in the day. Pic: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire.

With two years to go until the Rugby World Cup in Australia, this year’s Rugby Championship offers an early glimpse into the plans of the southern hemisphere heavyweights as they start shaping their squads for the 2027 tournament.

South Africa and Australia open this year’s championship at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday, while Argentina and New Zealand clash in their round one opener in Cordoba later in the day.