SANZAAR confirm dates and venues of condensed Rugby Championship

SANZAAR has confirmed the match schedule for the condensed 2023 Rugby Championship. As is customary in a World Cup year, the usual 12-match tournament is reduced to a one-round, home or away, six-match tournament in July.

Two additional matches – including a second Bledisloe Cup match and a second South Africa versus Argentina encounter – have also been scheduled in early August following The Rugby Championship and prior to the World Cup in France that kicks off in early September.

With the FIFA Women’s World Cup also taking place in Australia and New Zealand in July-August the availability of venues has been a challenging one.

Reflecting this, the New Zealand versus South Africa match will be played at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland. Australia will play its two home matches at Western Sydney Stadium and the MCG in Melbourne.

South Africa’s home matches will take place in Johannesburg and Pretoria, while Argentina will host its home match in Mendoza.

The additional Los Pumas versus Springboks encounter will be at Estadio Velez Sarsfield, in Buenos Aires.

“Despite the tournament being shortened due to the World Cup, it will undoubtedly be contested fiercely by the All Blacks, Los Pumas, Springboks and Wallabies,” SANZAAR CEO Brendan Morris said.

“The prestigious title of TRC Champions means a lot to all of the teams and will allow rugby fans across Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa an exciting look at the teams prior to them heading off to the Rugby World Cup.

“The SANZAAR teams have a proud record at the World Cup and the Rugby Championship plays a big part in that year-in-year-out, being one of the pre-eminent rugby tournaments on the international rugby calendar that includes many of the best players in the world.”