Another slow start on the cards for SA's URC hopefuls

The clash between the Test and club calendars will continue to compromise the South African franchises in the opening phase of the United Rugby Championship

- By Jon Cardinelli

The race for the Rugby Championship title has never been closer as two log points separate leaders Australia from fourthplaced Argentina with two rounds to play. Argentina, once the whipping boys of the southern hemisphere showpiece, have reason to believe they can upset the Springboks.

Australia head to New Zealand this Saturday, 27 September, with a shot at ending the All Blacks' 51-match unbeaten streak at Eden Park and boosting their title prospects.

The Boks are coming off a record-breaking 43-10 win in Wellington, and will have the benefit of playing the next game in Durban and the final round at Twickenham, where they have won their last four Tests.

New Zealand will go into meltdown if the All Blacks lose their next two matches, but the narrative will change quickly if Scott Robertson's charges rebound over the next fortnight to claim the title.

The Rugby Championship has never been this competitive and, as a result, its storylines have never been as compelling. But as many have pointed out, we should enjoy it while it lasts, because the tournament will be shelved in 2026 when the Boks and the All Blacks devote their attention to the inaugural Greatest Rivalry tour in South Africa.

What's more, there's some uncertainty as to whether the competition will revert to a full schedule of fixtures in 2027. The Sydney Morning Herald reports that three-match tours could replace the current format in 2028.

Never-ending problems

At some point, changes will have to be made to the global calendar and the clubs and Test unions will have to agree to align the fixtures and rest periods for the sake of player welfare. To put it mildly, the current schedule is a mess.