It may have slipped somewhat under the radar, but as the 2025 Rugby Championship draws to a thrilling conclusion, fans shouldn’t forget that the competition will most likely not be seen in its current full round format until 2029.
As has been widely reported, there have been extensive negotiations for the All Blacks to head to South Africa next year on a full ‘old school’ tour that will resemble a British & Irish Lions series.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, plans are now at an advanced stage for the All Blacks to participate in a blockbuster seven-match tour of South Africa, facing the Bulls, Stormers, Sharks and Lions, alongside three Tests against the Springboks. A fourth Test, outside of South Africa, could also be added to the itinerary.
Tours involving all four SANZAAR nations are also planned for 2028, while 2027 will only see a shortened one-round Rugby Championship as it is a World Cup year.
Rugby Championship set for serious changes
It ultimately means that we may only see a Rugby Championship taking place in its current format in 2029, while the Springboks could embark on a similar tour to New Zealand – marketed as ‘The Greatest Rugby Rivalry’ series – in 2030.
Furthermore, the Nations Championship is set to launch in 2026, which is a 12-team north-south competition featuring cross-hemisphere Tests and a finals weekend in November.
SA RUGBY BOSS ON THE RETURN OF OLD SCHOOL TOURS
Last year, SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer was already openly quoted in the Daily Maverick explaining that tours with New Zealand were in a well-advanced planning stage.
“I just spent two days with the New Zealand leadership in what we are calling the Greatest Rugby Rivalry… We have signed a memorandum of understanding and we are in the planning phases now.
“We met with the commercial brokers on setting the commercial property, the sponsorship matrix… It is a collaboration of two unions that have agreed to work together off the field. We believe we have to be closer – and we have never been close.”
Oberholzer emphasised that SARU and NZR are focusing on long-term sustainability: “We have such a challenge in rugby with funding, so we have to create our own opportunities.”
