Fans of rugby union will be delighted to know that the Nations Championship returns this weekend with six big matches in Europe as the Northern Hemisphere’s best teams go up against those from the Southern Hemisphere, including England - Australia.
But what is the Nations Championship, how does it work, and who’s the bet to go all the way?
Betting Tip: South Africa to Win the Nations Championship
Regular readers of our previews will know that we don’t generally like to back favourites, as we believe that getting a few bets right on bigger-priced selections can return a bigger profit in the long run than just backing favourites all the time for small returns. That said, it’s hard to find reasons to oppose South Africa.
They won the last two World Cups, are currently ranked the Number 1 side in the world and have started impressively with three wins from three. Not only that, but they've picked up a bonus point in all their matches so far by scoring four or more tries in each game. It’s true that New Zealand did as well, but the Springboks did look more impressive in those wins.
But that’s only part of it. Over the last few years, South Africa has ticked every box. Head coach Rassie Erasmus, probably the best head coach in the world, has an impressive collection of world-class players, including captain Siya Kolisi, powerful forwards Malcolm Marx and Pieter-Steph du Toit, and experienced centre Jesse Kriel. They combine enormous strength in the forwards with pace, skill and attacking quality in the backs. In terms of physicality, no one can live with them.
But another factor not to be underestimated is how well they play away from home. Other Southern Hemisphere teams can struggle when playing in Europe, but not them, and being able to do so in different conditions will be vital, including, of course, in this weekend’s games, which are played in Europe.
New Zealand are likely to push them all the way to top the table and qualify for the Grand Final, but the smart money is on South Africa.
What Is the Nations Championship?
It’s a brand-new rugby union international tournament introduced in 2026 to create more meaningful fixtures, rather than teams playing each other in friendlies outside the World Cup or Six Nations that don’t count for much.
So in a way it’s a bit similar to the Nations League in football with another major trophy up for grabs.
One of the interesting aspects of the tournament is the teams taking part in it. Six from the Northern Hemisphere: France, England, Scotland, Ireland. Wales and Italy, and six from the Southern Hemisphere: South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, Fiji and Japan.
The inclusion of Fiji and Japan is particularly intriguing. It's quite rare for them to be involved in the biggest competitions outside the World Cup.
The plan is for it to take place every two years.
The Nations Championship Format
The format is fairly easy to understand. The 12 teams are split into two groups of six, based on whether they come from the Northern or Southern Hemisphere. However, rather than playing the other five teams in their own group, each country takes on six opponents from the opposite hemisphere.
There were three matches in July, when the Northern Hemisphere teams travelled south, followed by another three in November, when the Southern Hemisphere sides head north.
This means every country plays six different opponents, with all the results counting towards its overall position in the competition.
The tournament consists of six rounds in total, split equally between July and November. Once all the matches have been completed, the teams are ranked from first to sixth in each hemisphere.
The first-placed Northern Hemisphere team plays the first-placed Southern Hemisphere team in the Grand Final. The second-placed teams meet in a third-place play-off, while the remaining four matches determine the other finishing positions.
These matches will all take place during Finals Weekend, held at the Allianz Stadium (Twickenham) in London from 27–29 November 2026.
Everyone's Tournament
South Africa are 2.0 after their strong start to the tournament.
Then it’s their southern hemisphere rivals New Zealand at 4.0, followed by defending Six Nations champions France, then England at 9,5 and Ireland at 15.0, with the others not given much of a chance.
Big games coming up this weekend…
There are some big games coming up this weekend, and they’ll be played in Europe this time round.
The action kicks off on Friday night with Ireland (1.25) hosting Argentina (4.2) in Dublin, followed by four games on Saturday.
Italy (21.0) certainly have their work cut out against South Africa (1.03) in Turin, with the bookies making the central handicap -25 South Africa. That means if you take the Springboks on that handicap at odds of 1.91, you’ll need them to win by 26 points or more.
Elsewhere, New Zealand are strong favourites at 1.25 to beat Scotland in Edinburgh, with the handicap in that one being New Zealand -11. Over in Cardiff, Wales are hot favourites at 1.13 to beat Japan, but you wouldn’t rule out an upset in that one, so there may well be some takers of the 5.5 on Japan ahead of that game.
France are justified 1.04 favourites to beat Fiji and, in arguably the game of the weekend, England are 1.3 to get the better of Australia at Twickenham. Australia may be a shadow of the side from five or ten years ago, but you know they’re always going to be very physical and give it their all, so it may not be as straightforward as those odds suggest, with Australia on offer at 3.75.
