The 2025 Rugby Championship could be the most competitive one yet, with four competing teams in good form and playing high-quality rugby. While the Springboks will aim to defend their 2024 Rugby Championship win, the All Blacks will be hungry to reclaim their perennial “best in the world” title. The Wallabies will be highly motivated to prove that their bad showing in 2024 is a distant memory, while Argentina will look to go to the next level and win its first-ever Rugby Championship title.
Check out our preview of the 2025 Rugby Championship:
Fixtures
16 August
- South Africa v Australia, 17:10, Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
- Argentina vs New Zealand, 23:10, Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes, Córdoba
Referee: Pierre Brousset (France)
23 August
- South Africa v Australia, `17:10, Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand)
- Argentina vs New Zealand, 23:10, José Amalfitani Stadium, Buenos Aires
Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)
6 September
- Australia vs Argentina, 6:30, North Queensland Stadium, Townsville
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
- New Zealand vs South Africa, 9:05, Eden Park, Auckland
Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
13 September
- Australia vs Argentina, 6:00, Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Referee: Christophe Ridley (England)
- New Zealand vs South Africa, 9:05, Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
27 September
- New Zealand vs Australia, 7:05, Eden Park, Auckland
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
- South Africa vs Argentina, 17:10, Kings Park Stadium, Durban
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
4 October
- Australia vs New Zealand, 11:45, Perth Stadium, Perth
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
- Argentina vs South Africa, 15:00, Twickenham Stadium, London, England
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Teams Preview
Argentina
Head Coach: Felipe Contepomi
Squad:
Forwards: Julián Montoya (c), Bautista Bernasconi, Joaquín Oviedo, Francisco Coria Marcheti, Lucas Paulos, Nicolás D’Amorim, Guido Petti, Pedro Delgado, Pedro Rubolo, Juan Martín Gonzalez, Ignacio Ruiz, Santiago Grondona, Joel Sclavi, Marcos Kremer, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Pablo Matera, Mayco Vivas, Franco Molina, Boris Wenger
Backs: Tomás Albornoz, Gonzalo Garcia, Simón Benitez Cruz, Rodrigo Isgro, Mateo Carreras, Juan Cruz Mallia, Santiago Carreras, Ignacio Mendy, Santiago Chocobares, Agustín Moyano, Lucio Cinti, Justo Piccardo, Benjamín Elizalde, Gerónimo Prisciantelli, Bautista Delguy
Argentina head into the 2025 Rugby Championship with renewed confidence, having finished third and recorded one win against each of the other three teams in 2024’s tournament —the first time the Pumas had achieved this. While the Pumas’ overall form remains patchy, the team will once again present a significant threat, especially on home soil, where passionate spectators often lift the team to rousing results. With a host of experienced players and a reputation for physicality, adventure and a dogged determination, the Pumas cannot be counted out from improving on last year’s stellar performance.
Prediction: 4th place
With two tough home games against the might All Blacks, two away games against an improving Australia, and having to travel to London for its “home’ match against champions South Africa, the Pumas have a tough schedule to overcome. They will undoubtedly be competitive, but may struggle to match the heights reached in last year’s tournament.
Australia
Head Coach: Joe Schmidt
Squad:
Forwards: Angus Bell, Nick Champion De Crespigny, Nick Frost, Langi Gleeson, Tom Hooper, Fraser McReight, Josh Nasser, Zane Nonggorr, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Billy Pollard, Tom Robertson, Aidan Ross, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Will Skelton, James Slipper, Carlo Tizzano, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Harry Wilson
Backs: Ben Donaldson, Tane Edmed, Josh Flook, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway, Ryan Lonergan, Tate McDermott, James O’Connor, Hunter Paisami, Dylan Pietsch, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Corey Toole, Nic White, Tom Wright
The Wallabies have experienced somewhat of a resurgence in recent times, having plumbed to low depths in 2023 and 2024. While Australia did experience the ignominy of the “wooden spoon” in the 2024 Rugby Championship (last place), the team turned things around on its end-of-season tour to Europe, producing two impressive performances against England and Wales. The team’s respectable showing against a favoured Lions team (losing a close series 2-1) means that Australia will fancy a far better performance this time around, with Joe Schmidt moulding a team that is rapidly gaining confidence.
Prediction: 3rd place
The Aussies have it tough from the get-go this year, having to face the defending champions (and 2-time RWC champions) in South Africa for 2 consecutive matches. An always savvy Wallabies should present a considerable challenge as always, but may not have enough quality players to win their first title since 2015.
New Zealand
Head Coach: Scott Robertson
Squad:
Forwards: Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Brodie McAlister, Ethan de Groot, Tamaiti Williams, Ollie Norris, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi, Scott Barrett (c), Patrick Tuipulotu, Tupou Vaa’i, Fabian Holland, Samipeni Finau, Simon Parker, Ardie Savea, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Wallace Sititi, Peter Lakai, Luke Jacobson
Backs: Cortez Ratima, Cameron Roigard, Noah Hotham, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert-Brown, Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Billy Proctor, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Rieko Ioane, Caleb Clarke, Sevu Reece, Emoni Narawa, Will Jordan, Ruben Love
The feared All Blacks are always a massive threat in any tournament. After only achieving 2nd place last year (with an unprecedented 3 losses), the New Zealand public will expect nothing less than a 10th Rugby Championship title. Standing in the way of this goal will be a Springbok side that has beaten the All Blacks in their last 4 encounters. The All Blacks' natural flair and reputation mean that they are always a dangerous team, and will aim to start a new era of New Zealand rugby dominance in this year’s Championship
Prediction: 2nd place
With a favourable draw that includes 2 home matches against the Springboks, the cards are stacked in New Zealand’s favour. However, the team still hasn’t recaptured the dominance it enjoyed from 2011 to 2019, and the pressure of expectation and a bit of inexperience in key positions may be an Achilles heel.
South Africa
Head Coach: Rassie Erasmus
Squad:
Forwards: Lood de Jager, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jean-Luc du Preez, Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Franco Mostert, Ox Nche, Ruan Nortje, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Marnus van der Merwe, Marco van Staden, Boan Venter, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese
Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse, Damian de Allende, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker, Jesse Kriel, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie le Roux, Manie Libbok, Canan Moodie, Handre Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Edwill van der Merwe, Morne van den Berg, Grant Williams, Damian Willemse
Springbok rugby under the masterful strategy of head coach Rassie Erasmus has gone from strength to strength, resulting in back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles and two Rugby Championships. A settled team has only lost 2 of its last 20 matches and will be brimming with confidence as it aims to become the first Springbok side to win the Rugby Championship in consecutive years. With loads of experience, a dynamic coaching team, and large squad depth, there’s no reason why this goal cannot be achieved
Prediction: 1st place
The Springboks will face a considerable challenge in having to play 2 away matches against the All blacks in New Zealand. The team will also hope to create history by being the 1st team to beat the All Blacks at Eden Park in 31 years. Despite this massive challenge, a Springbok team that has subverted all expectations in the last 6 years will be confident of defending its title.
Get Your Rugby Championship Game On
With such competitive teams, there are so many exciting matches to watch and bet on in 2025! Visit www.gbets.co.za and place bets (with great odds) on all the Rugby Championship matches.