The southern hemisphere’s answer to the Six Nations – the Rugby Championship. Previously known as the Tri Nations, the competition is now competed by New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Argentina. A gruelling tournament that sees teams travel for miles to compete in different climates and altitudes throughout September.
Using correspondents based in the southern hemisphere, TalkingRugbyUnion bring previews and reviews, together with leading-edge discussion on the issues facing the teams and the tournament.
South Africa have reclaimed their number one position in the World Rugby Rankings following their recent win over New Zealand.
South Africa head coach Jacques Nienaber credited his players for the thrilling win over New Zealand in the final round of the Rugby Championship.
Andrew Kellaway scored a hat-trick as Australia finished the Rugby Championship on a high with a 32-17 win at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday.
Argentina head coach Mario Mario Ledesma reacted to the expulsion of six Argentina players and two staff members from the final round of the Rugby Championship game against Australia to be played on Saturday.
New Zealand skipper Ardie Savea believes his team will adapt better as they face the Springboks in the final round of the Rugby Championship on Saturday.
Australia head coach Dave Rennie has recalled Sean McMahon and Greg Holmes in the matchday squad for the final round game against Argentina Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday.
New Zealand head coach Ian Foster has made changes to the line up for the sixth and final round of the Rugby Championship game against South Africa to be played on Saturday.
SANZAAR has confirmed that six players from Argentina and two staff members have been expelled from the Rugby Championship following a breach in health orders.
South Africa director of rugby Rassie Erasmus said the Springboks will be open to criticism following their narrow defeat to New Zealand in the fifth round of the Rugby Championship.
South Africa fly-half Handre Pollard believes his side is the best in the world when it comes to aerial contest.
South Africa head coach Jacques Nienaber has made two changes for the final round of the Rugby Championship clash against New Zealand.
South Africa winger Cheslin Kolbe is expected to make a comeback in the final round clash of the Rugby Championship against New Zealand to be played at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday.
SANZAAR and Rugby Australia have jointly issued an apology to Argentina following the captains photoshoot that happened ahead of the fifth round of the Rugby Championship.
South Africa head coach Jacques Nienaber feels his side 'lacked composure' following the defeat to New Zealand in the fifth round of the Rugby Championship at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
Australia successfully managed to overcome Argentina with a 27-8 margin in the fifth round of the Rugby Championship in Townsville on Saturday.
Jordie Barrett kicked the decisive penalty goal in the closing stage as New Zealand edged out South Africa 19-17 in the fifth round in Townsville to claim the Rugby Championship title.
Australia skipper Michael Hooper has lavished praise on veteran playmaker Quade Cooper following his stunning comeback in back to back games against South Africa.
Argentina head coach Mario Ledesma has named an unchanged line up for the fifth round of the Rugby Championship clash against Australia to be played on Saturday.
James O'Connor makes a much awaited return from injury as he was named on the Australian bench for the fifth round of the Rugby Championship clash against Argentina to be played at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
New Zealand have made eight changes to the starting line-up for the fifth round of the Rugby Championship clash against South Africa to be played at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Saturday.
South Africa head coach Jacques Nienaber has made two changes to the starting line-up for the fifth round of the Rugby Championship clash against New Zealand.
South Africa number 8 Jasper Wiese will face an independent disciplinary hearing following his yellow card incident in the recently concluded Rugby Championship fixture against Australia.
The All Blacks have officially claimed the number one position in the World Rugby Rankings following the recently concluded fourth round in the Rugby Championship.
South Africa coach Jacques Nienaber expressed disappointment over his team's 30-17 defeat to Australia in the recently concluded Rugby Championship game in Brisbane.
New Zealand extended their dominance in the ongoing Rugby Championship as they defeated Argentina 36-13 in the fourth round of the Rugby Championship in Brisbane on Saturday.
Len Ikitau and Marika Koroibete scored doubles as Australia went on to complete a 30-17 bonus point victory over South Africa in the fourth round of the Rugby Championship at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.
Australia skipper Michael Hooper is expecting a strong backlash from South Africa as the two teams lock horns with each other in the fourth round of the Rugby Championship in Brisbane on Saturday.
Argentina head coach Mario Ledesma has named Santiago Carreras at fly-half for the Rugby Championship rematch against New Zealand to be played in Brisbane on Saturday.
New Zealand head coach Ian Foster has made 12 changes to the starting line-up for the upcoming Rugby Championship clash against Argentina to be played at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.
Nic White has made a return to the starting line-up of Australia for the fourth round of the Rugby Championship clash against South Africa to be played at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.
South Africa head coach Jacques Nienaber has made three changes to the starting line up for the fourth round of the Rugby Championship game against Australia to be played at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.
New Zealand scrum-half Aaron Smith will not be linking up with the All Blacks squad for the remainder of the Rugby Championship competition.
South Africa lock Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg will miss the remainder of the Rugby Championship competition due to personal reasons.
South Africa assistant coach Deon Davids said the team management will discuss over the team selection as they line up to face Australia in the fourth round of the Rugby Championship in Brisbane on Saturday.
Australia have made a climb to the fifth place in the World Rugby Rankings following their victory over South Africa in the third round of the Rugby Championship in Gold Coast last weekend.
South Africa head coach Jacques Nienaber blamed his side's ill discipline for the defeat to Australia in the third round of the Rugby Championship in Gold Coast on Sunday.
Australia head coach Dave Rennie lavished praise on veteran playmaker Quade Cooper following win over South Africa in the third round of the Rugby Championship in Gold Coast on Sunday.
Quade Cooper kicked the decisive penalty goal in the added minutes as Australia snatched a thrilling 28-26 win over South Africa in the third round of the Rugby Championship in Gold Coast on Sunday.
New Zealand came up with a five-try performance as they blanked Argentina 39-0 in the third round of the Rugby Championship at Cbus Super Stadium on Sunday.
South Africa assistant coach Mzwandile Stick said they are wary of the Australian veteran playmaker Quade Cooper as the two teams lock horns with each other in the third round of the Rugby Championship on the Gold Coast on Sunday.
New Zealand centre Anton Lienert-Brown has been ruled out of the third round of the Rugby Championship clash against Argentina following a hamstring injury.
New Zealand will be without the services of Sam Whitelock for the remainder of the Rugby Championship to be played in Queensland.
Australia flanker Sean McMahon is set to join the Wallabies Rugby Championship squad next week ahead of the fourth round.
New Zealand head coach Mario Ledesma has recalled fly-half Nicolas Sanchez in the starting line-up for the upcoming round of the Rugby Championship to be played at Gold Coast on Sunday.
New Zealand head coach Ian Foster has confirmed Brodie Retallick will be leading the side in the third round of the Rugby Championship to be played at CBUS Super Stadium on Sunday.
Australia head coach Dave Rennie has named Quade Cooper in the starting line up for the third round of the Rugby Championship clash against South Africa to be played at Cbus Super Stadium on Sunday.
London Irish certainly had a positive campaign last time out and with new recruits like Benhard Janse van Rensburg arriving in Brentford, the Exiles return with a squad which should excite.
New Zealand assistant coach Brad Mooar said the team is excited about the prospect of facing Argentina in the third and fourth rounds of the Rugby Championship.
South Africa head coach Jacques Nienaber has made seven changes to the starting line-up as they face Australia in the third round of the Rugby Championship to be played at Cbus Super Stadium on Sunday.
New Zealand fullback Jordie Barrett will be available for the remainder of the Rugby Championship tournament after his red-card sanction was dismissed.
New Zealand defence coach Scott McLeod said fullback Jordie Barrett has complete backing of the team management following his red-card incident in the second round of the Rugby Championship against Australia in Perth.
New Zealand head coach Ian Foster has come in support of the new rule following Jordie Barrett's red-card incident in the recently concluded Rugby Championship game against Australia in Perth on Sunday.
New Zealand head coach Ian Foster has named all three Barrett brothers in the starting line-up for the third and final Bledisloe Cup Test against Australia in Perth on Sunday.
Australia head coach Dave Rennie has recalled Samu Kerevi to the starting line-up for the second round of the Rugby Championship to be played in Perth on Sunday.
Australia fly-half Quade Cooper lauded New Zealand for their bench strength ahead of the second round clash in the Rugby Championship between the two sides on 5th September.
South Africa international Duane Vermeulen is excited about his return to national duty for the remainder of the Rugby Championship tournament that will be played in Queensland.
South Africa have survived a Covid-19 scare following their landing in Queensland for the remainder of the Rugby Championship as a staff member returned false positive.
Australia head coach Dave Rennie has hinted at changes in the matchday squad as they look to lock horns with the All Blacks in the second round of the Rugby Championship scheduled to be played in Perth.
Australia head coach Dave Rennie had high praises for veteran fly-half Quade Cooper as he aims to make a return to the matchday squad for the third and final Bledisloe Cup game against New Zealand in Perth.
South Africa and Argentina have made a landing in Brisbane on Friday for the remainder of the Rugby Championship tournament.
New Zealand head coach Ian Foster has named Ardie Savea the captain ahead of the third Bledisloe Cup game against Australia in Perth on 5th September.
Australia centre Hunter Paisami and lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto will be missing the third and final Bledisloe Cup match against New Zealand scheduled to be played in Perth on 5th September.
New Zealand's experienced trio Sam Whitelock, Aaron Smith and Richie Mo´unga will miss the third and final Bledisloe Cup test against Australia to be played in Perth on 5th September.