Quick Context
The Championship kicks off with Springboks vs Wallabies in Johannesburg and Pumas vs All Blacks in Córdoba. South Africa enter as the reigning World Champions (2023) and holders of the 2024 TRC title; New Zealand swept France 3–0 in July 2025; Australia recently won Test 3 against the British & Irish Lions (22–12); Argentina are entering their second season under Felipe Contepomi.
South Africa (Springboks)
Coach & Direction: Rassie Erasmus has expanded the squad, using the TRC to integrate new players while maintaining the standards of the World Champions. The staff includes Tony Brown as attack coach, introducing more variation with ball-in-hand than in previous years.
Form & Selection: The Springboks open with a 5–3 bench (less “heavy” than the traditional 6–2/7–1) and Malcolm Marx as captain. A last-minute change sees Boan Venter replace Jan-Hendrik Wessels, signalling a game plan focused on tempo rather than mere attrition.
Technical-Tactical Identity: In TRC 2024, the Springboks won the title with suffocating defence and territorial control: according to Opta, they halted opponents before the gain line in 33% of carries — the highest percentage in the competition. In practice, this means a dominant front five, a rising defensive line, followed by quick transitions.
Open Questions: How much will Erasmus experiment on tours to New Zealand, and what proportion of “power game” versus wave-style attack will Brown retain? Current indications suggest a team blending traditional set-piece and kicking pressure with more varied attacking phases.
New Zealand (All Blacks)
Coach & Current Form: Scott Robertson gained momentum with a 3–0 series against France in July, but pressure remains: local media demand a clear identity after losing TRC 2024.
Selection & Absences: For the Córdoba opener, the All Blacks field Cortez Ratima at 9, Damian McKenzie at 10, Beauden Barrett at 15, with Sevu Reece and Caleb Clarke on the wings. Tupou Vaa’i starts at flanker, and debutant Fabian Holland is in the second row. Key midfield players Cameron Roigard and Noah Hotham are injured, and star Wallace Sititi is unavailable.
Technical-Tactical Identity: The 2025 version combines speed at the ruck, contested ball, and real alternatives at 10/15 (McKenzie–Barrett). The ongoing challenge is eliminating “boom-bust” phases and consolidating the back-row without Sititi. Historically, New Zealand have never lost in Argentina, which offers a psychological advantage.
Australia (Wallabies)
Coach & Trend: Joe Schmidt has instilled discipline, structure, and a focus on fundamentals. In the Lions series, narrow defeats in the first two tests were followed by a clear victory in Test 3 (22–12), showing improvement in set-piece execution and handling wet/heavy conditions.
Selection & Profile: For Ellis Park, Schmidt opted for a 6–2 bench (signalling a physical battle) and named James O’Connor at 10 in Rob Valetini’s absence (concussion). Nic White returns as scrum-half organiser, while the Skelton–Tupou pack promises set-piece dominance and physicality at contact.
Technical-Tactical Identity: Pragmatic kicking game, clean set-pieces, and line defence supported by a hard-working back-row. Weakness: depth at playmaker and cohesion under accelerated tempo.
Argentina (Los Pumas)
Coach & Direction: Felipe Contepomi, in charge since 2024, blends traditional aggression with greater creativity in second-phase play. Montoya (c) remains a key figure in the scrum.
Selection & Absences: For the match against New Zealand in Córdoba, there are squad updates and notable absences in the backline — particularly Emiliano Boffelli. Thomas Gallo was monitored medically in the week leading up to the game.
Technical-Tactical Identity: The Pumas rely on a fierce jackal (Kremer), well-structured maul/lineout work led by Montoya, and quick transitions via Carreras. Historical barrier: New Zealand have never lost on Argentine soil, and Robertson’s side comes in on the back of strong form from July.
Current Hierarchy
- South Africa – World Champions, strongest in defence and set-pieces; in 2024, they led the TRC in gainline denial.
- New Zealand – immense quality and good form in July, but still refining identity.
- Australia – noticeable improvement under Schmidt; safer set-piece, but depth at 10 remains a test.
- Argentina – dangerous at home, particularly at the breakdown, but squad depth limited by backline absences.
Key Details for Opening Fixtures
Boks–Wallabies (Ellis Park): 5–3 bench for Boks vs 6–2 for Wallabies → two differing bench philosophies; Marx leads a full set-piece rotation; O’Connor–White face a defence adept at gain-line control.
Pumas–All Blacks (Córdoba): Ratima–McKenzie form the speed axis for New Zealand; Pumas without Boffelli; historical advantage to visitors, though the Argentine crowd may influence intensity.
Foto credit: www.rugger.info.
by Eduard Popiea