Southern Hemisphere rugby is entering a new era after SANZAAR, Southern Hemisphere rugby’s co-ordinating body, confirmed a sweeping five-year international calendar that will run from 2026 to 2030.

The plan takes into account the new global Nations Championship, a restructured Rugby Championship, and new touring cycles designed to strengthen traditional rivalries while bringing greater coherence to the Test schedule.

The Nations Championship will debut in 2026 and return in 2028 and 2030. It will convert the traditional July and November windows into a new tournament featuring 12 leading nations, split across northern and southern hemispheres.

The aim is to give fans an exciting tournament with the best teams in the world between World Cups while still allowing for iconic contests such as the Bledisloe Cup between the Wallabies and the All Blacks and Springbok-All Blacks clashes.

In a major shift, SANZAAR will stage a full Rugby Championship even in a Rugby World Cup year, giving the four Rugby Championship teams (South Africa, New Zealand, Argentina, and Australia) high-quality preparation ahead of the 2027 World Cup in Australia.

Between World Cups, reciprocal tours will resume, including series between the All Blacks and Springboks in 2026 and 2030. In 2026 the All Blacks will tour South Africa for a three-Test series with the Springboks returning the favour in 2030.

However, in those two years - 2026 and 2030 - there will be no Rugby Championship.

SANZAAR chief executive Brendan Morris described the new schedule as: “bold and innovative,” saying it reflects close collaboration among unions to create a calendar that: “brings supporters closer to the action.” Rugby leaders hope the overhaul will inject fresh energy into the international game and cement the southern hemisphere’s role in shaping rugby’s global future.