Championship kicks off as future hangs in the balance

Boks, All Blacks eye big money tours

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The annual Rugby Championship, featuring World Cup titleholders South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Argentina, kicks off today amid uncertainty over its future.

New Zealand will do an eight-match tour of South Africa next year, including three Tests, during the August to October window when the Championship is staged.

That tour is aimed at boosting the coffers of the two national rugby bodies, and rules out the Springboks and All Blacks being involved in a double-round Championship as well.

Australia are set to host the 2027 Rugby World Cup and the Championship has always been reduced from a double to single round in years when the global showpiece takes place.

Adding to the long-term uncertainty is South Africa agreeing to an eight-match tour of New Zealand in 2030.

Record four-time world champions South Africa and Australia get what could be the last six-round Rugby Championship, at least for the foreseeable future, underway at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

A few hours later, nine-time Championship winners New Zealand take on Argentina in Cordoba.