FILE PHOTO: Rugby - Rugby Championship - Argentina v South Africa - Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, London, Britain - October 4, 2025 South Africa's Siya Kolisi holds up the trophy after winning the match Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs/File Photo
(Reuters) -The Rugby Championship will not be played in 2026 but will appear on the global calendar for the following three years, including a full version ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, organisers SANZAAR confirmed on Thursday.
The Southern Hemisphere version of the Six Nations Championship is contested between South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Argentina, traditionally between August and October.
South Africa are the current holders having won the last two editions, but there has been speculation over the competition's future with the rise of other events.
It will not be staged next year as New Zealand tour South Africa for multiple tests billed as a showdown between rugby’s two major superpowers, while there is also the launch of World Rugby’s new Nations Championship in the July and November windows.
That has squeezed the Rugby Championship off the calendar for 2026, but it will return the following year to be played as a full version in an earlier July-August slot.
Previously the Rugby Championship has been shortened in World Cup years.
There will, however, be no competition in 2030 as there is a repeat of the international multi-week tours format that will likely see the Springboks and All Blacks face-off again, this time in New Zealand.
"Looking ahead, our joint-venture is committed to driving the next chapter of southern hemisphere rugby," SANZAAR CEO Brendan Morris said in a statement.
"After listening to what supporters, broadcasters and our stakeholders want, we’ve worked with the Unions to craft a bold and dynamic schedule."
The Nations Championship is a 12-team competition played in even years from 2026 which sees teams in the Six Nations and Rugby Championship, as well as two more invited sides, play in the July and November windows.
(Reporting by Nick Said; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
