The integrity of the Nations Championship will be put to the test over the next four weeks as top teams from the northern and southern hemispheres compete for a spot in the final on November 29 in London. World Rugby launched the biennial tournament earlier this year to strengthen inter-hemisphere fixtures staged in July and November. However, the competition's conference system has faced criticism, as it rewards group winners with a final spot rather than the best-performing teams overall.
The Springboks and All Blacks dominated the first phase of the Nations Championship in July, accumulating a maximum of 15 log points in three Tests. However, only one side will advance to the final, despite both teams being among the world's best-performing teams. The Boks and All Blacks are essentially competing with each other for top spot in the southern conference and a berth in the final. Other southern teams like Australia and Argentina are unlikely to push for top spot.
The Springboks sit atop the southern conference after three rounds, thanks to their superior points difference of 81. The All Blacks, who beat France, Italy, and Ireland with a bonus point in July, finished with a points difference of 51. The All Blacks will face a less challenging schedule in November, with matches against Scotland, Wales, and England. In contrast, the Boks will face Italy, France, and Ireland on consecutive weekends.
If both teams finish the league with the same number of wins and log points, the side with the best points difference will advance to the final. The fixture against Wales may present the All Blacks with an opportunity to boost their points difference, but they have suffered a host of injuries in recent months and may not be at their best. The Boks, meanwhile, have already achieved two of their preseason goals, including using 72 players over the course of the international season and trialing new players and combinations.
The Springboks have already secured a 3-1 series win against the All Blacks in the inaugural Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series. With their development goals achieved, the team can now focus on pushing for top spot in the Nations Championship. Rassie Erasmus will need to manage his squad effectively over the four-match tour to Europe, balancing the need to rest players with the need to perform against top opponents.
The Boks will face France in Paris on November 13, just six days after battling Italy in Turin. The clash in Dublin against Ireland could be even tougher, given the quality of the opposition and the potential for some of Ireland's best players to be rested the week before. Fatigue could be a factor after the battle against the French, which may impact the Boks' performance in the final.
If the All Blacks finish at the top of the southern conference and advance to the final, the second-placed Boks will tackle the second-placed northern team, possibly Ireland again. In that event, Erasmus may use the fourth clash of the tour to experiment with younger players. However, if the Boks edge ahead of the All Blacks in the southern standings and face France in the final, they could be in for another test of endurance.
Key points
- The Springboks and All Blacks are competing with each other for top spot in the southern conference and a berth in the final.
- The conference system has faced criticism, as it rewards group winners with a final spot rather than the best-performing teams overall.
- The Boks will need to manage their squad effectively over the four-match tour to Europe to balance rest and performance.
