All kick off times for ‘Super Saturday’ of Test rugby
· The South African
The newly-formed Nations Championship kicks off this weekend, bringing an absolute blockbuster lineup of cross-hemisphere Test rugby on Saturday.
Of course, South African fans will have full focus on the clash between the Springboks and England at Ellis Park, but there are other headline fixtures as New Zealand host France, and Argentina tackle Scotland.
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Here is the full schedule of the major fixtures, with all kick off times listed in South African time.
Nations Championship — Test rugby kick off times (in SA time)
- New Zealand vs France
- Kick-off: 09:10
- Venue: One New Zealand Stadium, Christchurch
- Japan vs Italy
- Kick-off: 10:40
- Venue: Chichibunomiya Stadium, Tokyo
- Australia vs Ireland
- Kick-off: 12:10
- Venue: Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
- Fiji vs Wales
- Kick-off: 15:10
- Venue: Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff
- South Africa vs England
- Kick-off: 17:40
- Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
- Argentina vs Scotland
- Kick-off: 21:10
- Venue: Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes, Cordoba
What is the Nations Championship?
Created through a landmark joint venture between Six Nations Rugby and SANZAAR, the launch of the new biennial international rugby tournament aims to usher in a new era for the global game.
“The launch of the Nations Championship is arguably the most significant evolution in the sport since rugby turned professional,” according to Ronan Dunne, Six Nations Rugby Chair, and Co-Chair of the Nations Championship. “More than just a new tournament, it is a demonstration of the power of collaboration, and a shared vision to redefine the future of the sport.”
The tournament is a key pillar within the newly aligned global rugby calendar, connecting the existing July and November international windows through a unique cross hemisphere format
This new competition will see the Six Nations unions representing the northern hemisphere, and taking on the powerhouse SANZAAR nations, plus invitational teams Japan and Fiji, who will represent the southern hemisphere. Fixtures start in July with three consecutive ‘Super Saturdays’ offering fans back-to-back action, and comprehensive worldwide access to coverage.
Attention then turns to November, when the Northern Hemisphere becomes the focus of international rugby, with an entire month of action. The second chapter of fixtures build towards the first of its kind Finals Weekend, which will be hosted at the iconic Allianz Stadium in London.