2018 Rugby Championship

Date	18 August 2018 – 6 October 2018
Countries	Argentina; Australia; New Zealand; South Africa
Final positions
Champions	New Zealand (16th title)
Bledisloe Cup	New Zealand
Freedom Cup	New Zealand
Mandela Challenge Plate	Australia
Puma Trophy	Australia
Tournament statistics
Matches played	12
Tries scored	88 (7.33 per match)
Attendance	433,657 (36,138 per match)
Top scorer(s)	Nicolás Sánchez (67)
Most tries	Beauden Barrett (5); Aphiwe Dyantyi (5); Rieko Ioane (5)
	← 2017 2019 →

The 2018 Rugby Championship was the seventh edition of the expanded annual southern hemisphere Rugby Championship, featuring Argentina, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. The competition is operated by SANZAAR, a joint venture of the four countries' national unions.

The tournament continued to use the same sequence of games across the schedule, starting on 18 August with Australia hosting reigning champions New Zealand and South Africa hosting Argentina, and ending after eight weeks (six rounds and two bye weeks) on 6 October when New Zealand visited South Africa and Australia played in Argentina.

New Zealand won the Championship for the sixth time after a 35-17 win over Argentina in Buenos Aires on 29 September.^[1]^[2]

Background[edit]

The tournament is operated by SANZAAR and known for sponsorship reasons as The Castle Rugby Championship in South Africa, The Investec Rugby Championship in New Zealand, The Mitsubishi Estate Rugby Championship in Australia, and The Personal Rugby Championship in Argentina.

Format[edit]

The format for the 2018 tournament retained the previous Championship format that changed in 2017. Each side played the other once at home, and once away, giving a total of six matches each, and twelve in total. A win earned a team four league points, a draw two league points, and a loss by eight or more points zero league points. A bonus point was earned in one of two ways: by scoring at least three tries more than the opponent in a match, or by losing within seven points. The competition winner was the side with the most points at the end of the tournament.^[3]

Table[edit]

Place	Nation	Games				Points^[4]			Try Bonus	Losing Bonus	Table points
Place	Nation	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against	Diff	Try Bonus	Losing Bonus	Table points
1	New Zealand	6	5	0	1	225	132	+93	4	1	25
2	South Africa	6	3	0	3	160	154	+6	1	2	15
3	Australia	6	2	0	4	124	176	−52	0	1	9
4	Argentina	6	2	0	4	151	198	−47	0	0	8

Results[edit]

Round 1[edit]

18 August 2018
19:45 AEST (UTC+10)

Australia	13–38	New Zealand
Try: Maddocks 66' c Con: Foley (1/1) 66' Pen: Hodge (1/1) 9' Foley (1/1) 20'	Report	Try: A. Smith 38' m Goodhue 42' c B. Barrett 51' c Retallick 62' c Naholo (2) 73' m, 74' c Con: B. Barrett (4/6) 43', 52', 64', 76'

Stadium Australia, Sydney
Attendance: 66,318
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)


FB	15	Israel Folau	63'
RW	14	Dane Haylett-Petty	53'
OC	13	Reece Hodge
IC	12	Kurtley Beale
LW	11	Marika Koroibete
FH	10	Bernard Foley
SH	9	Will Genia	73'
N8	8	David Pocock
OF	7	Michael Hooper (c)	73'
BF	6	Lukhan Tui
RL	5	Adam Coleman
LL	4	Izack Rodda	64'
TP	3	Sekope Kepu	34' to 40'		58'
HK	2	Tatafu Polota-Nau	45'
LP	1	Tom Robertson			73'
Replacements:
HK	16	Tolu Latu	45'
PR	17	Allan Alaalatoa			58'
PR	18	Jermaine Ainsley	34'	40'	73'
LK	19	Rob Simmons	64'
FL	20	Pete Samu	73'
SH	21	Nick Phipps	73'
FH	22	Matt To'omua	63'
WG	23	Jack Maddocks	53'
Coach:
Michael Cheika


FB	15	Ben Smith
RW	14	Waisake Naholo
OC	13	Jack Goodhue
IC	12	Ryan Crotty	12'
LW	11	Rieko Ioane	46'
FH	10	Beauden Barrett
SH	9	Aaron Smith	67'
N8	8	Kieran Read (c)
OF	7	Sam Cane	69'
BF	6	Liam Squire	58'
RL	5	Sam Whitelock
LL	4	Brodie Retallick
TP	3	Owen Franks	58'
HK	2	Codie Taylor	67'
LP	1	Joe Moody	53'
Replacements:
HK	16	Nathan Harris	67'
PR	17	Tim Perry	53'
PR	18	Karl Tu’inukuafe	58'
LK	19	Scott Barrett	58'
FL	20	Ardie Savea	69'
SH	21	TJ Perenara	67'
FH	22	Damian McKenzie	46'
CE	23	Anton Lienert-Brown	12'
Coach:
Steve Hansen

Man of the Match:
Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)

Touch judges:
Wayne Barnes (England)
Luke Pearce (England)
Television match official:
Marius Jonker (South Africa)

Notes:

Jermaine Ainsley and Jack Maddocks (both Australia) and Tim Perry (New Zealand) made their international debuts.^[5]
Sam Whitelock (New Zealand) became the eighth and youngest ever All Black to earn his 100th test cap.^[6]

18 August 2018
17:05 SAST (UTC+02)

South Africa	34–21	Argentina
Try: Am 7' m Dyantyi (2) 31' m, 41' c Mapimpi (2) 48' m, 52' m De Klerk 69' c Con: Pollard (2/6) 43', 70'	Report	Try: Sanchez 14' c Matera 26' c Moroni 66' c Con: Sanchez (3/3) 15', 28', 66'

Kings Park Stadium, Durban
Attendance: 26,800
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)


FB	15	Willie le Roux
RW	14	Makazole Mapimpi
OC	13	Lukhanyo Am	72'
IC	12	André Esterhuizen	62'
LW	11	Aphiwe Dyantyi	73'
FH	10	Handré Pollard
SH	9	Faf de Klerk
N8	8	Warren Whiteley
OF	7	Siya Kolisi (c)
BF	6	Francois Louw	59'
RL	5	Pieter-Steph du Toit
LL	4	Eben Etzebeth
TP	3	Frans Malherbe	57'
HK	2	Malcolm Marx	64'
LP	1	Tendai Mtawarira	51'
Replacements:
HK	16	Bongi Mbonambi	64'
PR	17	Steven Kitshoff	51'
PR	18	Thomas du Toit	57'
LK	19	Marvin Orie
FL	20	Marco van Staden	59'
SH	21	Embrose Papier	73'
CE	22	Lionel Mapoe	72'
FH	23	Damian Willemse	62'
Coach:
Rassie Erasmus


FB	15	Emiliano Boffelli
RW	14	Bautista Delguy
OC	13	Matías Moroni
IC	12	Bautista Ezcurra	79'
LW	11	Ramiro Moyano
FH	10	Nicolás Sánchez
SH	9	Gonzalo Bertranou	62'
N8	8	Javier Ortega Desio
OF	7	Marcos Kremer
BF	6	Pablo Matera	50'
RL	5	Matías Alemanno	53'
LL	4	Guido Petti
TP	3	Juan Figallo	62'
HK	2	Agustín Creevy (c)	71'
LP	1	Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro	50'
Replacements:
HK	16	Diego Fortuny	71'
PR	17	Santiago García Botta	50'
PR	18	Santiago Medrano	62'
LK	19	Tomás Lavanini	53'
FL	20	Tomás Lezana	50'
SH	21	Martín Landajo	62'
CE	22	Santiago González Iglesias	79'
FB	23	Juan Cruz Mallia
Coach:
Mario Ledesma

Man of the Match:
Aphiwe Dyantyi (South Africa)

Touch judges:
Angus Gardner (Australia)
Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Television match official:
Simon McDowell (Ireland)

Notes:

Marco van Staden and Damian Willemse (both South Africa) and Diego Fortuny (Argentina) made their international debuts.^[7]
Pablo Matera (Argentina) earned his 50th test cap.

Round 2[edit]

25 August 2018
19:35 NZST (UTC+12)

New Zealand	40–12	Australia
Try: B. Barrett (4) 12' c, 37' c, 61' c, 68' m Moody 42' c Squire 47' c Con: B. Barrett (5/6) 13', 38' 43', 48', 62'	Report	Try: Genia 28' c Hodge 54' m Con: Foley (1/2) 29'

Eden Park, Auckland
Attendance: 49,983
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)


FB	15	Jordie Barrett	66'
RW	14	Ben Smith
OC	13	Jack Goodhue	62'
IC	12	Ngani Laumape
LW	11	Waisake Naholo
FH	10	Beauden Barrett
SH	9	Aaron Smith	62'
N8	8	Kieran Read (c)
OF	7	Sam Cane	52'
BF	6	Liam Squire	55'
RL	5	Sam Whitelock
LL	4	Brodie Retallick
TP	3	Owen Franks	51'
HK	2	Codie Taylor	55'
LP	1	Joe Moody	55'
Replacements:
HK	16	Nathan Harris	55'
PR	17	Karl Tu’inukuafe	55'
PR	18	Ofa Tu'ungafasi	51'
LK	19	Scott Barrett	55'
FL	20	Ardie Savea	52'
SH	21	TJ Perenara	62'
FH	22	Damian McKenzie	66'
CE	23	Anton Lienert-Brown	62'
Coach:
Steve Hansen


FB	15	Dane Haylett-Petty	64'
RW	14	Jack Maddocks
OC	13	Reece Hodge
IC	12	Kurtley Beale
LW	11	Marika Koroibete
FH	10	Bernard Foley	70'
SH	9	Will Genia	70'
N8	8	David Pocock
OF	7	Michael Hooper (c)	70'
BF	6	Lukhan Tui
RL	5	Adam Coleman
LL	4	Izack Rodda	51'
TP	3	Allan Alaalatoa	51'
HK	2	Tatafu Polota-Nau	52'
LP	1	Scott Sio	51'
Replacements:
HK	16	Folau Fainga'a	52'
PR	17	Tom Robertson	51'
PR	18	Sekope Kepu	51'
LK	19	Rob Simmons	51'
FL	20	Pete Samu	70'
SH	21	Nick Phipps	70'
FH	22	Matt To'omua	64'
FB	23	Tom Banks	70'
Coach:
Michael Cheika

Man of the Match:
Beauden Barrett (New Zealand)

Touch judges:
Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Luke Pearce (England)
Television match official:
Marius Jonker (South Africa)

Notes:

Folau Fainga'a and Tom Banks (both Australia) made their international debuts.
Owen Franks (New Zealand) became the ninth ever All Black to earn his 100th test cap.
New Zealand retain the Bledisloe Cup.^[8]

25 August 2018
16:10 AST (UTC-03)

Argentina	32–19	South Africa
Try: Delguy (2) 18' c, 22' c Sánchez 26' c Moyano 45' m Con: Sánchez (3/4) 19', 23', 27' Pen: Sánchez (1/1) 4' Drop: Sánchez (1/1) 36'	Report	Try: Kolisi 13' c Mapoe (2) 47' c, 64' m Con: Pollard (2/3) 14', 48'

Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza
Attendance: 27,460
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)


FB	15	Emiliano Boffelli
RW	14	Bautista Delguy
OC	13	Matías Moroni
IC	12	Bautista Ezcurra	79'
LW	11	Ramiro Moyano	57'
FH	10	Nicolás Sánchez
SH	9	Gonzalo Bertranou	68'
N8	8	Javier Ortega Desio
OF	7	Marcos Kremer
BF	6	Pablo Matera	59'
RL	5	Tomás Lavanini	71'
LL	4	Guido Petti
TP	3	Juan Figallo	68'
HK	2	Agustín Creevy (c)	76'
LP	1	Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro	63'
Replacements:
HK	16	Facundo Bosch	76'
PR	17	Santiago García Botta	63'
PR	18	Santiago Medrano	68'
LK	19	Matías Alemanno	71'
FL	20	Tomás Lezana	59'
SH	21	Tomás Cubelli	68'
CE	22	Jerónimo de la Fuente	57'
FB	23	Juan Cruz Mallia	79'
Coach:
Mario Ledesma


FB	15	Willie le Roux
RW	14	Makazole Mapimpi		11'
OC	13	Lukhanyo Am
IC	12	André Esterhuizen		62'
LW	11	Aphiwe Dyantyi
FH	10	Handré Pollard
SH	9	Faf de Klerk
N8	8	Warren Whiteley		52'	62'
OF	7	Siya Kolisi (c)
BF	6	Francois Louw
RL	5	Franco Mostert			62'
LL	4	Eben Etzebeth	24' to 34'	46'
TP	3	Frans Malherbe		62'
HK	2	Malcolm Marx		71'
LP	1	Tendai Mtawarira		42'
Replacements:
HK	16	Bongi Mbonambi		71'
PR	17	Steven Kitshoff		42'
PR	18	Wilco Louw		62'
LK	19	RG Snyman		52'
LK	20	Pieter-Steph du Toit		46'
SH	21	Embrose Papier
CE	22	Lionel Mapoe		11'
FH	23	Damian Willemse		62'
Coach:
Rassie Erasmus

Man of the Match:
Guido Petti (Argentina)

Touch judges:
Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)
Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Television match official:
Simon McDowell (Ireland)

Notes:

Facundo Bosch (Argentina) made his international debut.^[9]
This is Argentina's largest winning margin over South Africa, surpassing the 12-point difference set in 2015.

Round 3[edit]

8 September 2018
19:35 NZST (UTC+12)

New Zealand	46–24	Argentina
Try: Milner-Skudder 17' c Perenara (2) 29' m, 57' c Read 48' c Frizell 73' c Goodhue 79' c Con: Mo'unga (5/6) 19', 50', 58', 73', 80' Pen: Mo'unga (2/2) 4', 40'	Report	Try: Moyano 14' c Sánchez 41' c Boffelli 69' c Con: Sánchez (3/3) 15', 42', 70' Pen: Sánchez (1/1) 55'

Trafalgar Park, Nelson
Attendance: 21,440
Referee: Pascal Gaüzère (France)


FB	15	Ben Smith	9'	19'
RW	14	Nehe Milner-Skudder
OC	13	Jack Goodhue
IC	12	Ngani Laumape	9'
LW	11	Waisake Naholo	58'
FH	10	Richie Mo'unga
SH	9	TJ Perenara	71'
N8	8	Kieran Read (c)	58'
OF	7	Ardie Savea
BF	6	Shannon Frizell
RL	5	Scott Barrett
LL	4	Brodie Retallick	9'
TP	3	Owen Franks	46'
HK	2	Codie Taylor	62'
LP	1	Karl Tu’inukuafe	58'
Replacements:
HK	16	Nathan Harris	62'
PR	17	Tim Perry	58'
PR	18	Ofa Tu'ungafasi	46'
LK	19	Sam Whitelock	9'
N8	20	Luke Whitelock	58'
SH	21	Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi	71'
FH	22	Damian McKenzie	9'
CE	23	Anton Lienert-Brown	9'	19'	58'
Coach:
Steve Hansen


FB	15	Emiliano Boffelli
RW	14	Bautista Delguy
OC	13	Matías Moroni	64'
IC	12	Jerónimo de la Fuente
LW	11	Ramiro Moyano
FH	10	Nicolás Sánchez
SH	9	Martín Landajo	62'
N8	8	Javier Ortega Desio
OF	7	Marcos Kremer
BF	6	Tomás Lezana	62'
RL	5	Tomás Lavanini
LL	4	Guido Petti	58'
TP	3	Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro	50'
HK	2	Agustín Creevy (c)	50'
LP	1	Santiago García Botta	58'
Replacements:
HK	16	Julián Montoya	50'
PR	17	Juan Pablo Zeiss	58'
PR	18	Gaston Cortes	50'
LK	19	Matías Alemanno	58'
FL	20	Pablo Matera	62'
SH	21	Tomás Cubelli	62'
CE	22	Bautista Ezcurra
FB	23	Juan Cruz Mallia	64'
Coach:
Mario Ledesma

Man of the Match:
TJ Perenara (New Zealand)

Touch judges:
Nigel Owens (Wales)
Nic Berry (Australia)
Television match official:
Rowan Kitt (England)

Notes:

Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (New Zealand) and Juan Pablo Zeiss (Argentina) made their international debuts.

8 September 2018
20:05 AEST (UTC+10)

Australia	23–18	South Africa
Try: Hooper 1' c To'omua 32' c Con: To'omua (2/2) 2', 33' Pen: Hodge (1/1) 40' To'omua (2/2) 54', 68'	Report	Try: Mbonambi 13' c Mapimpi 27' m Con: Jantjies (1/2) 15' Pen: Jantjies (2/2) 6', 38'

Lang Park, Brisbane
Attendance: 27,849
Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)


FB	15	Dane Haylett-Petty
RW	14	Jack Maddocks	61'
OC	13	Reece Hodge	68'	75'
IC	12	Matt To'omua
LW	11	Marika Koroibete		75'
FH	10	Kurtley Beale
SH	9	Will Genia
N8	8	Pete Samu
OF	7	Michael Hooper (c)
BF	6	Lukhan Tui
RL	5	Izack Rodda	41'	58'	67'
LL	4	Rory Arnold		58'	67'	76'
TP	3	Allan Alaalatoa	47'
HK	2	Tatafu Polota-Nau	33'	71'
LP	1	Scott Sio	69'
Replacements:
HK	16	Folau Fainga'a	33'	71'
PR	17	Tom Robertson	69'
PR	18	Taniela Tupou	47'
LK	19	Rob Simmons	41'
FL	20	Ned Hanigan				76'
SH	21	Joe Powell
FH	22	Bernard Foley	61'
FB	23	Tom Banks	68'
Coach:
Michael Cheika


FB	15	Willie le Roux
RW	14	Makazole Mapimpi	33'
OC	13	Jesse Kriel
IC	12	Damian de Allende
LW	11	Aphiwe Dyantyi
FH	10	Elton Jantjies	64'
SH	9	Faf de Klerk
N8	8	Warren Whiteley	61'
OF	7	Pieter-Steph du Toit
BF	6	Siya Kolisi (c)
RL	5	Franco Mostert
LL	4	Eben Etzebeth	60'
TP	3	Frans Malherbe	57'
HK	2	Bongi Mbonambi	34'
LP	1	Steven Kitshoff	57'
Replacements:
HK	16	Malcolm Marx	34'
PR	17	Tendai Mtawarira	57'
PR	18	Wilco Louw	57'
LK	19	RG Snyman	60'
LK	20	Francois Louw	61'
SH	21	Embrose Papier
CE	22	Handré Pollard	64'
FB	23	Cheslin Kolbe	33'
Coach:
Rassie Erasmus

Man of the Match:
Matt To'omua (Australia)

Touch judges:
John Lacey (Ireland)
Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Television match official:
Glenn Newman (New Zealand)

Notes:

Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa) made his international debut.
Australia retain the Mandela Challenge Plate.

Round 4[edit]

15 September 2018
19:35 NZST (UTC+12)

New Zealand	34–36	South Africa
Try: J. Barrett 4' m A. Smith 15' c Ioane (2) 37' m, 51' c Taylor 60' m Savea 73' m Con: B. Barrett (2/6) 17', 53'	Report	Try: Dyantyi (2) 19' c, 56' m Le Roux 24' c Marx 31' c Kolbe 41' c Con: Pollard (4/5) 20', 25', 32', 42' Pen: Pollard (1/1) 40

Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
Attendance: 34,182
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)


FB	15	Jordie Barrett	58'
RW	14	Ben Smith
OC	13	Anton Lienert-Brown	58'
IC	12	Ryan Crotty
LW	11	Rieko Ioane
FH	10	Beauden Barrett
SH	9	Aaron Smith	49'
N8	8	Kieran Read (c)
OF	7	Sam Cane	68'
BF	6	Liam Squire	58'
RL	5	Scott Barrett
LL	4	Sam Whitelock
TP	3	Owen Franks	47'
HK	2	Codie Taylor	75'
LP	1	Karl Tu’inukuafe	58'
Replacements:
HK	16	Liam Coltman	75'
PR	17	Tim Perry	58'
PR	18	Ofa Tu'ungafasi	47'
LK	19	Patrick Tuipulotu	58'
FL	20	Ardie Savea	68'
SH	21	TJ Perenara	49'
CE	22	Jack Goodhue	58'
FH	23	Damian McKenzie	58'
Coach:
Steve Hansen


FB	15	Willie le Roux	66' to 76'
RW	14	Jesse Kriel
OC	13	Lukhanyo Am		40'
IC	12	Damian de Allende		47'
LW	11	Aphiwe Dyantyi
FH	10	Handré Pollard
SH	9	Faf de Klerk
N8	8	Warren Whiteley
OF	7	Pieter-Steph du Toit
BF	6	Siya Kolisi (c)		65'
RL	5	Franco Mostert
LL	4	Eben Etzebeth		50'
TP	3	Frans Malherbe		64'
HK	2	Malcolm Marx		68'
LP	1	Steven Kitshoff		65'
Replacements:
HK	16	Bongi Mbonambi		68'
PR	17	Tendai Mtawarira		65'
PR	18	Wilco Louw		64'
LK	19	RG Snyman		50'
LK	20	Francois Louw		65'
SH	21	Ross Cronjé
CE	22	Elton Jantjies		47'
FB	23	Cheslin Kolbe		40'
Coach:
Rassie Erasmus

Man of the Match:
Handré Pollard (South Africa)

Touch judges:
Pascal Gaüzère (France)
Nic Berry (Australia)
Television match official:
Rowan Kitt (England)

South Africa recorded their first win against New Zealand in New Zealand since their 32–29 win in 2009.

15 September 2018
20:05 AEST (UTC+10)

Australia	19–23	Argentina
Try: Genia 10' c Folau 18' c Haylett-Petty 54' m Con: To'omua (2/3) 11', 19'	Report	Try: Sánchez 14' c Delguy 35' c Con: Sánchez (2/2) 15', 36' Pen: Boffelli (2/2) 4', 76' Sánchez (1/1) 47'

Robina Stadium, Gold Coast
Attendance: 16,019
Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)


FB	15	Dane Haylett-Petty
RW	14	Israel Folau
OC	13	Reece Hodge
IC	12	Matt To'omua	59'
LW	11	Marika Koroibete	69'
FH	10	Kurtley Beale
SH	9	Will Genia	69'
N8	8	Pete Samu	43'
OF	7	David Pocock (c)
BF	6	Lukhan Tui
RL	5	Izack Rodda		58'	67'
LL	4	Rory Arnold	46'	58'	67'
TP	3	Allan Alaalatoa	29' to 36'		52'
HK	2	Tatafu Polota-Nau	40'
LP	1	Scott Sio	58'
Replacements:
HK	16	Folau Fainga'a	40'
PR	17	Sekope Kepu	58'
PR	18	Taniela Tupou	29'	36'	52'
LK	19	Adam Coleman	46'
FL	20	Ned Hanigan	43'
SH	21	Nick Phipps	69'
FH	22	Bernard Foley	59'
WG	23	Jack Maddocks	69'
Coach:
Michael Cheika


FB	15	Emiliano Boffelli
RW	14	Bautista Delguy
OC	13	Matías Moroni
IC	12	Jerónimo de la Fuente	74'
LW	11	Ramiro Moyano	32'
FH	10	Nicolás Sánchez
SH	9	Gonzalo Bertranou
N8	8	Javier Ortega Desio
OF	7	Marcos Kremer	67'
BF	6	Pablo Matera
RL	5	Tomás Lavanini	24'	32'
LL	4	Guido Petti			69'
TP	3	Santiago Medrano	67'
HK	2	Agustín Creevy (c)	67'
LP	1	Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro	67'
Replacements:
HK	16	Julián Montoya	67'
PR	17	Santiago García Botta	67'
PR	18	Juan Pablo Zeiss	67'
LK	19	Matías Alemanno	24'	32'	69'
FL	20	Juan Manuel Leguizamón	67'
SH	21	Martín Landajo
CE	22	Bautista Ezcurra	32'
FB	23	Juan Cruz Mallia	74'
Coach:
Mario Ledesma

Man of the Match:
Nicolás Sánchez (Argentina)

Touch judges:
Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Television match official:
Glenn Newman (New Zealand)

Notes:

Argentina recorded their first win against Australia in Australia since their 18–3 win in 1983.
This win saw Argentina achieved two wins in a single Rugby Championship for the first time.
With this loss (and South Africa's victory), Australia drops to a record low seventh place on the World Rugby Rankings.

Round 5[edit]

29 September 2018
17:05 SAST (UTC+02)

South Africa	23–12	Australia
Try: Dyantyi 1' c De Klerk 20' c Con: Pollard (2/2) 1', 21' Pen: Pollard (3/3) 33', 40', 45'	Report	Try: Hodge 25' m Genia 28' c Con: To'omua (1/2) 29'

Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
Attendance: 41,332
Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)


FB	15	Willie le Roux
RW	14	Cheslin Kolbe
OC	13	Jesse Kriel
IC	12	André Esterhuizen
LW	11	Aphiwe Dyantyi	64' to 74'
FH	10	Handré Pollard
SH	9	Faf de Klerk
N8	8	Sikhumbuzo Notshe		44'
OF	7	Pieter-Steph du Toit
BF	6	Siya Kolisi (c)
RL	5	Franco Mostert
LL	4	Eben Etzebeth		76'
TP	3	Frans Malherbe		62'
HK	2	Malcolm Marx		69'
LP	1	Tendai Mtawarira		42'
Replacements:
HK	16	Bongi Mbonambi		69'
PR	17	Steven Kitshoff		42'
PR	18	Wilco Louw		62'
LK	19	RG Snyman		76'
FL	20	Marco van Staden		44'
SH	21	Embrose Papier
FH	22	Elton Jantjies
FH	23	Damian Willemse
Coach:
Rassie Erasmus


FB	15	Dane Haylett-Petty
RW	14	Israel Folau
OC	13	Reece Hodge
IC	12	Matt To'omua
LW	11	Marika Koroibete	31'
FH	10	Kurtley Beale
SH	9	Will Genia	69'
N8	8	David Pocock
OF	7	Michael Hooper (c)
BF	6	Ned Hanigan
LL	5	Adam Coleman	69'
RL	4	Izack Rodda	69'
TP	3	Taniela Tupou	49'
HK	2	Folau Fainga'a	62'
LP	1	Scott Sio	49'
Replacements:
HK	16	Brandon Paenga-Amosa	62'
PR	17	Sekope Kepu	49'
PR	18	Allan Alaalatoa	49'
LK	19	Rory Arnold	69'
LK	20	Rob Simmons	69'
SH	21	Nick Phipps	69'
FH	22	Bernard Foley		58'
WG	23	Jack Maddocks	31'	58'
Coach:
Michael Cheika

Man of the Match:
Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa)

Touch judges:
Wayne Barnes (England)
Matthew Carley (England)
Television match official:
Graham Hughes (England)

Notes:

Scott Sio (Australia) earned his 50th test cap.

29 September 2018
19:40 AST (UTC-03)

Argentina	17–35	New Zealand
Try: Cubelli 57' c Boffelli 67' c Con: Sánchez (2/2) 58', 67' Pen: Sánchez (1/1) 5'	Report	Try: Ioane (2) 7' c, 29' c Naholo 16' c Tuipulotu 54' c Lienert-Brown 72' c Con: B. Barrett (4/4) 8', 17' 31', 56' Mo'unga (1/1) 72'

José Amalfitani Stadium, Buenos Aires
Attendance: 50,000
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)


FB	15	Emiliano Boffelli
RW	14	Bautista Delguy	33'
OC	13	Jerónimo de la Fuente
IC	12	Bautista Ezcurra	62'
LW	11	Matías Moroni
FH	10	Nicolás Sánchez
SH	9	Gonzalo Bertranou	50'
N8	8	Javier Ortega Desio
OF	7	Marcos Kremer	70'
BF	6	Pablo Matera
RL	5	Tomás Lavanini
LL	4	Guido Petti	53'
TP	3	Ramiro Herrera	53'
HK	2	Agustín Creevy (c)	50'
LP	1	Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro	57'
Replacements:
HK	16	Julián Montoya	50'
PR	17	Juan Pablo Zeiss	57'
PR	18	Santiago Medrano	53'
LK	19	Matías Alemanno	53'
FL	20	Juan Manuel Leguizamón	70'
SH	21	Tomás Cubelli	50'
CE	22	Matías Orlando	62'
WG	23	Sebastián Cancelliere	33'
Coach:
Mario Ledesma


FB	15	Ben Smith		58'
RW	14	Waisake Naholo
OC	13	Ryan Crotty
IC	12	Sonny Bill Williams	36' to 46'	56'
LW	11	Rieko Ioane
FH	10	Beauden Barrett
SH	9	TJ Perenara		66'
N8	8	Ardie Savea
OF	7	Sam Cane
BF	6	Shannon Frizell		66'
RL	5	Scott Barrett
LL	4	Sam Whitelock (c)		50'
TP	3	Ofa Tu'ungafasi		51'
HK	2	Codie Taylor		59'
LP	1	Karl Tu’inukuafe		56'
Replacements:
HK	16	Nathan Harris		59'
PR	17	Tim Perry		56'
PR	18	Angus Ta'avao		51'
LK	19	Patrick Tuipulotu		50'
FL	20	Jackson Hemopo		66'
SH	21	Aaron Smith		66'
FH	22	Richie Mo'unga		58'
CE	23	Anton Lienert-Brown		56'
Coach:
Steve Hansen

Man of the Match:
Ardie Savea (New Zealand)

Touch judges:
Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
Television match official:
David Grashoff (England)

Notes:

Angus Ta'avao (New Zealand) made his international debut.
TJ Perenara (New Zealand) earned his 50th test cap.

Round 6[edit]

6 October 2018
17:05 SAST (UTC+02)

South Africa	30–32	New Zealand
Try: Kriel 44' c De Allende 52' c Kolbe 59' c Con: Pollard (3/3) 45', 53', 60' Pen: Pollard (3/3) 4', 13', 48'	Report	Try: A. Smith 54' c Ioane 62' m S. Barrett 76' c Savea 79' c Con: Mo'unga (3/4) 55', 76', 80' Pen: B. Barrett (2/2) 26', 36'

Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
Attendance: 51,762
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)


FB	15	Willie le Roux	66'
RW	14	Cheslin Kolbe
OC	13	Jesse Kriel
IC	12	Damian de Allende	78'
LW	11	Aphiwe Dyantyi
FH	10	Handré Pollard
SH	9	Faf de Klerk	73'
N8	8	Francois Louw	70'
OF	7	Pieter-Steph du Toit
BF	6	Siya Kolisi (c)
RL	5	Franco Mostert
LL	4	Eben Etzebeth	63'
TP	3	Frans Malherbe	60'
HK	2	Malcolm Marx	73'
LP	1	Steven Kitshoff	74'
Replacements:
HK	16	Bongi Mbonambi	73'
PR	17	Tendai Mtawarira	74'
PR	18	Vincent Koch	60'
LK	19	RG Snyman	63'
FL	20	Sikhumbuzo Notshe	70'
SH	21	Embrose Papier	73'
FH	22	Elton Jantjies	78'
FH	23	Damian Willemse	66'
Coach:
Rassie Erasmus


FB	15	Ben Smith
RW	14	Waisake Naholo	51'
OC	13	Ryan Crotty
IC	12	Sonny Bill Williams	60'
LW	11	Rieko Ioane
FH	10	Beauden Barrett
SH	9	Aaron Smith	70'
N8	8	Kieran Read (c)
OF	7	Sam Cane	36'
BF	6	Shannon Frizell	46'
RL	5	Scott Barrett
LL	4	Sam Whitelock
TP	3	Owen Franks	46'
HK	2	Codie Taylor	70'
LP	1	Karl Tu’inukuafe	46'	70'	78'
Replacements:
HK	16	Nathan Harris	70'
PR	17	Tim Perry	46'	70'	78'
PR	18	Ofa Tu'ungafasi	46'
LK	19	Patrick Tuipulotu	46'
FL	20	Ardie Savea	36'
SH	21	TJ Perenara	70'
FH	22	Richie Mo'unga	51'
CE	23	Anton Lienert-Brown	60'
Coach:
Steve Hansen

Man of the Match:
Malcolm Marx (South Africa)

Touch judges:
Jérôme Garcès (France)
Matthew Carley (England)
Television match official:
Graham Hughes (England)

Notes:

Willie le Roux (South Africa) earned his 50th test cap.
New Zealand retain the Freedom Cup.

6 October 2018
19:40 AST (UTC-03)

Argentina	34–45	Australia
Try: Matera 2' c Boffelli 4' c Orlando 27' c Gonzalez Iglesias 31' c Con: Sánchez (3/3) 3', 5', 28' Gonzalez Iglesias (1/1) 32' Pen: Gonzalez Iglesias (2/2) 38', 61'	Report	Try: Hooper 14' c Rodda 44' c Folau 48' c Haylett-Petty (2) 51' c, 66' c Pocock 64' c Con: Foley (6/6) 15', 45', 49', 53', 65', 67' Pen: Foley (1/1) 75'

Estadio Padre Ernesto Martearena, Salta
Attendance: 20,512
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)


FB	15	Emiliano Boffelli
RW	14	Matías Moroni	67'
OC	13	Matías Orlando
IC	12	Jerónimo de la Fuente
LW	11	Ramiro Moyano
FH	10	Nicolás Sánchez	29'
SH	9	Gonzalo Bertranou	59'
N8	8	Javier Ortega Desio	67'
OF	7	Marcos Kremer
BF	6	Pablo Matera
RL	5	Tomás Lavanini	71'
LL	4	Guido Petti
TP	3	Ramiro Herrera	52'
HK	2	Agustín Creevy (c)	52'
LP	1	Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro	67'
Replacements:
HK	16	Julián Montoya	52'
PR	17	Santiago García Botta	67'
PR	18	Santiago Medrano	52'
LK	19	Matías Alemanno	71'
FL	20	Juan Manuel Leguizamón	67'
SH	21	Tomás Cubelli	59'
CE	22	Santiago González Iglesias	29'
WG	23	Sebastián Cancelliere	67'
Coach:
Mario Ledesma


FB	15	Dane Haylett-Petty
RW	14	Israel Folau
OC	13	Reece Hodge
IC	12	Kurtley Beale		75'
LW	11	Marika Koroibete
FH	10	Bernard Foley
SH	9	Will Genia		68'
N8	8	David Pocock
OF	7	Michael Hooper (c)
BF	6	Ned Hanigan		78'
LL	5	Adam Coleman
RL	4	Izack Rodda		72'
TP	3	Taniela Tupou		41'
HK	2	Folau Fainga'a		41'	78'
LP	1	Scott Sio		41'	73'
Replacements:
HK	16	Tolu Latu	77' to 80'	41'
PR	17	Sekope Kepu		41'	73'
PR	18	Allan Alaalatoa		41'
LK	19	Rob Simmons		72'
N8	20	Caleb Timu
SH	21	Nick Phipps		68'
FH	22	Matt To'omua		75'
FB	23	Tom Banks
Coach:
Michael Cheika

Man of the Match:
Dane Haylett-Petty (Australia)

Touch judges:
Mathieu Raynal (France)
Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
Television match official:
David Grashoff (England)

Notes:

Matías Alemanno and Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro (both Argentina) made earned their 50th test cap.
Australia retain the Puma Trophy.

Statistics[edit]

Points scorers[edit]

Pos	Name	Team	Pts
1	Nicolás Sánchez	Argentina	67
2	Beauden Barrett	New Zealand	61
3	Handré Pollard	South Africa	47
4	Aphiwe Dyantyi	South Africa	25
4	Rieko Ioane	New Zealand	25
6	Richie Mo'unga	New Zealand	24
7	Bernard Foley	Australia	22
8	Emiliano Boffelli	Argentina	21
8	Matt To'omua	Australia	21
10	Reece Hodge	Australia	16

Try scorers[edit]

Pos	Name	Team	Tries
1	Beauden Barrett	New Zealand	5
	Aphiwe Dyantyi	South Africa
	Rieko Ioane	New Zealand
4	Nicolás Sánchez	Argentina	4
5	Emiliano Boffelli	Argentina	3
	Bautista Delguy	Argentina
	Will Genia	Australia
	Dane Haylett-Petty	Australia
	Makazole Mapimpi	South Africa
	Waisake Naholo	New Zealand
	Aaron Smith	New Zealand

Squads[edit]

Nation	Match venues			Head coach	Captain
Nation	Name	City	Capacity	Head coach	Captain
Argentina	José Amalfitani Stadium	Buenos Aires	49,540	Mario Ledesma	Agustín Creevy
	Estadio Malvinas Argentinas	Mendoza	40,268
	Estadio Padre Ernesto Martearena	Salta	20,408
Australia	Stadium Australia	Sydney	83,500	Michael Cheika	Michael Hooper David Pocock
	Lang Park	Brisbane	52,500
	Robina Stadium	Gold Coast	27,400
New Zealand	Eden Park	Auckland	50,000	Steve Hansen	Kieran Read
	Wellington Regional Stadium	Wellington	34,500
	Trafalgar Park	Nelson	18,000
South Africa	Kings Park Stadium	Durban	52,000	Rassie Erasmus	Siya Kolisi
	Loftus Versfeld Stadium	Pretoria	51,762
	Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium	Port Elizabeth	48,000

Note: Ages, caps and clubs/franchises are of 18 August 2018 – the starting date of the tournament

Argentina[edit]

On 6 August, newly appointed head coach Mario Ledesma named a 36-man squad for the Championship.^[10]

¹ Ahead of the traveling to South Africa for the opening match, Tomás Lezana joined the squad after recovering from injury.^[11]

² On 9 August, Juan Figallo became the first European based player to be selected for the national side since the 2015 World Cup, after a change of selection policy under Ledesma.^[12]

³ On 19 August, Santiago Álvarez, Facundo Bosch and Santiago Carreras joined the ahead of the round 2 home clash against South Africa.^[13]

⁴ On 27 August, Gaston Cortes joined the squad for the Oceania leg of the Championship in rounds 3 and 4.^[14]

⁵ On 19 September, Ramiro Herrera, Matías Osadczuk, Lucas Paulos and Enrique Pieretto joined were added as part of the training squad ahead of the fifth round clash with New Zealand.^[15]

⁶ On 24 September, Manuel Montero joined the squad as injury cover for Ramiro Moyano.^[16]

Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.

Player	Position	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Club/province
Facundo Bosch ³	Hooker	(1991-08-08)8 August 1991 (aged 27)	0	Agen
Agustín Creevy (c)	Hooker	(1985-03-15)15 March 1985 (aged 33)	74	Jaguares
Diego Fortuny	Hooker	(1991-09-27)27 September 1991 (aged 26)	0	Jaguares
Julián Montoya	Hooker	(1993-10-29)29 October 1993 (aged 24)	44	Jaguares
Marco Ciccioli	Prop	(1995-11-06)6 November 1995 (aged 22)	0	CASI
Gaston Cortes ⁴	Prop	(1985-10-06)6 October 1985 (aged 32)	4	Leicester Tigers
Lucas Favre	Prop	(1996-11-20)20 November 1996 (aged 21)	0	Lomas
Juan Figallo ²	Prop	(1988-03-25) 25 March 1988 (age 36)	24	Saracens
Santiago García Botta	Prop	(1992-06-19)19 June 1992 (aged 26)	25	Jaguares
Ramiro Herrera ⁵	Prop	(1989-02-14)14 February 1989 (aged 29)	37	Stade Français
Santiago Medrano	Prop	(1996-05-06)6 May 1996 (aged 22)	3	Jaguares
Enrique Pieretto ⁵	Prop	(1994-12-15)15 December 1994 (aged 23)	24	Jaguares
Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro	Prop	(1989-06-11)11 June 1989 (aged 29)	44	Jaguares
Mayco Vivas	Prop	(1998-06-02)2 June 1998 (aged 20)	0	Atlético del Rosario
Juan Pablo Zeiss	Prop	(1989-08-02)2 August 1989 (aged 29)	0	Los Matreros
Matías Alemanno	Lock	(1991-12-05)5 December 1991 (aged 26)	44	Jaguares
Ignacio Larrague	Lock	(1995-10-25)25 October 1995 (aged 22)	2	CASI
Tomás Lavanini	Lock	(1993-01-22)22 January 1993 (aged 25)	41	Jaguares
Franco Molina	Lock	(1997-08-28)28 August 1997 (aged 20)	0	Jockey Córdoba
Guido Petti	Lock	(1994-11-17)17 November 1994 (aged 23)	36	Jaguares
Lucas Paulos ⁵	Lock	(1998-01-09)9 January 1998 (aged 20)	0	Olivos
Santiago Grondana	Flanker	(1998-07-25)25 July 1998 (aged 20)	0	Champagnat
Marcos Kremer	Flanker	(1997-07-30)30 July 1997 (aged 21)	15	Jaguares
Juan Manuel Leguizamón	Flanker	(1983-06-06)6 June 1983 (aged 35)	82	Jaguares
Pablo Matera	Flanker	(1993-07-18)18 July 1993 (aged 25)	49	Jaguares
Javier Ortega Desio	Flanker	(1990-06-14)14 June 1990 (aged 28)	42	Jaguares
Tomás Lezana ¹	Flanker	(1994-02-16)16 February 1994 (aged 24)	24	Jaguares
Rodrigo Bruni	Number 8	(1993-09-03)3 September 1993 (aged 24)	0	San Luis
Gonzalo Bertranou	Scrum-half	(1993-12-31)31 December 1993 (aged 24)	12	Jaguares
Tomás Cubelli	Scrum-half	(1989-06-12)12 June 1989 (aged 29)	63	Jaguares
Martín Landajo	Scrum-half	(1988-06-14)14 June 1988 (aged 30)	81	Jaguares
Joaquín Díaz Bonilla	Fly-half	(1989-04-12)12 April 1989 (aged 29)	0	Jaguares
Nicolás Sánchez	Fly-half	(1988-10-26)26 October 1988 (aged 29)	65	Jaguares
Santiago Álvarez ³	Centre	(1994-02-17)17 February 1994 (aged 24)	0	Jaguares
Jerónimo de la Fuente	Centre	(1991-02-24)24 February 1991 (aged 27)	38	Jaguares
Bautista Ezcurra	Centre	(1995-04-21)21 April 1995 (aged 23)	1	Jaguares
Santiago González Iglesias	Centre	(1988-06-16)16 June 1988 (aged 30)	41	Jaguares
Matías Moroni	Centre	(1991-03-29)29 March 1991 (aged 27)	31	Jaguares
Matías Orlando	Centre	(1991-11-14)14 November 1991 (aged 26)	34	Jaguares
Matías Osadczuk ⁵	Centre	(1997-04-22)22 April 1997 (aged 21)	0	SITAS
Sebastián Cancelliere	Wing	(1993-09-17)17 September 1993 (aged 24)	6	Jaguares
Bautista Delguy	Wing	(1997-04-22)22 April 1997 (aged 21)	3	Jaguares
Manuel Montero ⁶	Wing	(1991-11-20) 20 November 1991 (age 32)	27	Pucará
Ramiro Moyano	Wing	(1990-05-28)28 May 1990 (aged 28)	22	Jaguares
Emiliano Boffelli	Fullback	(1995-01-16)16 January 1995 (aged 23)	14	Jaguares
Santiago Carreras ³	Fullback	(1998-03-30)30 March 1998 (aged 20)	0	Córdoba Athletic
Juan Cruz Mallia	Fullback	(1996-09-11)11 September 1996 (aged 21)	1	Jaguares

Australia[edit]

On 5 August, Michael Cheika named a 36-man extended squad ahead of the Championship.^[17]

¹ On 21 September, Jake Gordon and Angus Cottrell were added to the squad for the final two rounds of the Championship, with the latter replacing Lukhan Tui who withdrew from the squad for personal reasons.^[18]

Player	Position	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Franchise/province
Folau Fainga'a	Hooker	(1995-05-05)5 May 1995 (aged 23)	0	Brumbies / Canberra Vikings
Tolu Latu	Hooker	(1993-02-23)23 February 1993 (aged 25)	7	Waratahs / NSW Country Eagles
Brandon Paenga-Amosa	Hooker	(1995-12-25)25 December 1995 (aged 22)	3	Queensland Reds / Brisbane City
Tatafu Polota-Nau	Hooker	(1985-07-26)26 July 1985 (aged 33)	82	Leicester Tigers
Jermaine Ainsley	Prop	(1995-08-08)8 August 1995 (aged 23)	0	Melbourne Rebels / Melbourne Rising
Allan Alaalatoa	Prop	(1994-01-28)28 January 1994 (aged 24)	22	Brumbies / Canberra Vikings
Sekope Kepu	Prop	(1986-02-05)5 February 1986 (aged 32)	94	Waratahs / Sydney Rays
Tom Robertson	Prop	(1994-08-28)28 August 1994 (aged 23)	21	Waratahs / NSW Country Eagles
Scott Sio	Prop	(1991-10-16)16 October 1991 (aged 26)	46	Brumbies / Canberra Vikings
Taniela Tupou	Prop	(1996-05-10)10 May 1996 (aged 22)	4	Queensland Reds / Queensland Country
Rory Arnold	Lock	(1990-07-01)1 July 1990 (aged 28)	15	Brumbies / Canberra Vikings
Adam Coleman	Lock	(1991-10-07)7 October 1991 (aged 26)	23	Melbourne Rebels / Melbourne Rising
Izack Rodda	Lock	(1996-08-20)20 August 1996 (aged 21)	7	Queensland Reds / Queensland Country
Rob Simmons	Lock	(1989-04-19)19 April 1989 (aged 29)	85	Waratahs / Sydney Rays
Lukhan Tui	Lock	(1996-09-19)19 September 1996 (aged 21)	7	Queensland Reds / Brisbane City
Angus Cottrell ¹	Flanker	(1989-11-20)20 November 1989 (aged 28)	0	Melbourne Rebels / Melbourne Rising
Ned Hanigan	Flanker	(1995-04-11)11 April 1995 (aged 23)	13	Waratahs / NSW Country Eagles
Michael Hooper (c)	Flanker	(1991-10-29)29 October 1991 (aged 26)	82	Waratahs / Sydney Rays
David Pocock	Flanker	(1988-04-23)23 April 1988 (aged 30)	69	Brumbies / Panasonic Wild Knights
Peter Samu	Flanker	(1991-12-17)17 December 1991 (aged 26)	3	Crusaders / Canberra Vikings
Caleb Timu	Number 8	(1994-02-22)22 February 1994 (aged 24)	2	Queensland Reds / Queensland Country
Will Genia	Scrum-half	(1988-01-17)17 January 1988 (aged 30)	90	Melbourne Rebels / Melbourne Rising
Jake Gordon ¹	Scrum-half	(1993-07-06)6 July 1993 (aged 25)	0	Waratahs / NSW Country Eagles
Nick Phipps	Scrum-half	(1989-01-09)9 January 1989 (aged 29)	64	Waratahs / Sydney Rays
Joe Powell	Scrum-half	(1994-04-11)11 April 1994 (aged 24)	4	Brumbies / Canberra Vikings
Bernard Foley	Fly-half	(1989-09-08)8 September 1989 (aged 28)	58	Waratahs / NSW Country Eagles
Matt To'omua	Fly-half	(1990-01-02)2 January 1990 (aged 28)	33	Leicester Tigers
Kurtley Beale	Centre	(1989-01-06)6 January 1989 (aged 29)	74	Waratahs / Sydney Rays
Reece Hodge	Centre	(1994-08-26)26 August 1994 (aged 23)	27	Melbourne Rebels / Melbourne Rising
Bill Meakes	Centre	(1991-02-23)23 February 1991 (aged 27)	0	Melbourne Rebels / Melbourne Rising
Jordan Petaia	Centre	(2000-03-14)14 March 2000 (aged 18)	0	Queensland Reds / Queensland Country
Curtis Rona	Centre	(1992-05-26)26 May 1992 (aged 26)	3	Waratahs / Sydney Rays
Dane Haylett-Petty	Wing	(1989-06-18)18 June 1989 (aged 29)	21	Melbourne Rebels / Western Force
Marika Koroibete	Wing	(1992-07-26)26 July 1992 (aged 26)	11	Melbourne Rebels / Melbourne Rising
Jack Maddocks	Wing	(1997-02-05)5 February 1997 (aged 21)	0	Melbourne Rebels / Melbourne Rising
Sefa Naivalu	Wing	(1992-01-07)7 January 1992 (aged 26)	7	Melbourne Rebels / Melbourne Rising
Tom Banks	Fullback	(1994-06-18)18 June 1994 (aged 24)	0	Brumbies / Canberra Vikings
Israel Folau	Fullback	(1989-04-03)3 April 1989 (aged 29)	65	Waratahs / Sydney Rays

New Zealand[edit]

On 6 August 2018, Hansen named a 33-man squad ahead of the Championship.^[19]

Liam Coltman and Ngani Laumape were included in the squad as injury covers for Dane Coles and Sonny Bill Williams respectively.

¹ On 16 August, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, after being named in the match-day team for the opening round, was withdrawn due to injury and Jeffery Toomaga-Allen joined the squad as a precautionary injury cover.

² On 30 August, Angus Ta'avao joined the squad as an injury replacement for Joe Moody who was ruled out of the rest of the Championship.^[20]

³ On 9 September, Patrick Tuipulotu joined the squad as an injury replacement for Brodie Retallick.

Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.

Player	Position	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Club/province
Dane Coles	Hooker	(1986-12-10)10 December 1986 (aged 31)	56	Hurricanes / Wellington
Liam Coltman	Hooker	(1990-01-25)25 January 1990 (aged 28)	2	Highlanders / Otago
Nathan Harris	Hooker	(1992-03-08)8 March 1992 (aged 26)	13	Chiefs / Bay of Plenty
Codie Taylor	Hooker	(1991-03-31)31 March 1991 (aged 27)	32	Crusaders / Canterbury
Owen Franks	Prop	(1987-12-23)23 December 1987 (aged 30)	98	Crusaders / Canterbury
Joe Moody	Prop	(1988-09-18)18 September 1988 (aged 29)	34	Crusaders / Canterbury
Tim Perry	Prop	(1988-08-01)1 August 1988 (aged 30)	0	Crusaders / Tasman
Angus Ta'avao ²	Prop	(1990-03-22)22 March 1990 (aged 28)	0	Chiefs / Taranaki
Jeffery Toomaga-Allen ¹	Prop	(1990-11-19)19 November 1990 (aged 27)	1	Hurricanes / Wellington
Karl Tu’inukuafe	Prop	(1993-02-21)21 February 1993 (aged 25)	3	Chiefs / North Harbour
Ofa Tu'ungafasi	Prop	(1992-04-19)19 April 1992 (aged 26)	17	Blues / Auckland
Scott Barrett	Lock	(1993-11-20)20 November 1993 (aged 24)	19	Crusaders / Taranaki
Brodie Retallick	Lock	(1991-05-31)31 May 1991 (aged 27)	68	Chiefs / Hawke's Bay
Patrick Tuipulotu ³	Lock	(1993-01-23) 23 January 1993 (age 31)	16	Blues / Auckland
Sam Whitelock	Lock	(1988-10-12)12 October 1988 (aged 29)	99	Crusaders / Canterbury
Sam Cane	Flanker	(1992-01-13)13 January 1992 (aged 26)	55	Chiefs / Bay of Plenty
Shannon Frizell	Flanker	(1994-02-11)11 February 1994 (aged 24)	1	Highlanders / Tasman
Jackson Hemopo	Flanker	(1993-11-14)14 November 1993 (aged 24)	1	Highlanders / Manawatu
Ardie Savea	Flanker	(1993-10-14)14 October 1993 (aged 24)	25	Hurricanes / Wellington
Liam Squire	Flanker	(1991-03-20)20 March 1991 (aged 27)	17	Highlanders / Tasman
Kieran Read (c)	Number 8	(1985-10-26)26 October 1985 (aged 32)	109	Crusaders / Counties Manukau
Luke Whitelock	Number 8	(1991-01-29)29 January 1991 (aged 27)	5	Highlanders / Canterbury
TJ Perenara	Half-back	(1992-01-23)23 January 1992 (aged 26)	45	Hurricanes / Wellington
Aaron Smith	Half-back	(1988-11-21)21 November 1988 (aged 29)	74	Highlanders / Manawatu
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi	Half-back	(1995-03-31)31 March 1995 (aged 23)	0	Chiefs / Taranaki
Beauden Barrett	First five-eighth	(1991-05-27)27 May 1991 (aged 27)	64	Hurricanes / Taranaki
Damian McKenzie	First five-eighth	(1995-04-25)25 April 1995 (aged 23)	15	Chiefs / Waikato
Richie Mo'unga	First five-eighth	(1994-05-25)25 May 1994 (aged 24)	1	Crusaders / Canterbury
Ryan Crotty	Centre	(1988-09-23)23 September 1988 (aged 29)	37	Crusaders / Canterbury
Jack Goodhue	Centre	(1995-07-13)13 July 1995 (aged 23)	1	Crusaders / Northland
Ngani Laumape	Centre	(1993-04-22)22 April 1993 (aged 25)	6	Hurricanes / Manawatu
Anton Lienert-Brown	Centre	(1995-04-15)15 April 1995 (aged 23)	24	Chiefs / Waikato
Sonny Bill Williams	Centre	(1985-08-03)3 August 1985 (aged 33)	47	Blues / Counties Manukau
Rieko Ioane	Wing	(1997-03-18)18 March 1997 (aged 21)	16	Blues / Auckland
Nehe Milner-Skudder	Wing	(1990-12-15)15 December 1990 (aged 27)	11	Hurricanes / Manawatu
Waisake Naholo	Wing	(1991-05-08)8 May 1991 (aged 27)	19	Highlanders / Taranaki
Jordie Barrett	Fullback	(1997-02-17)17 February 1997 (aged 21)	5	Hurricanes / Taranaki
Ben Smith	Fullback	(1986-06-01)1 June 1986 (aged 32)	67	Highlanders / Otago

South Africa[edit]

On 26 May 2018, head coach Rassie Erasmus named the following 35-man squad for South Africa's Rugby Championship campaign:^[21]

Cyle Brink withdrew from the squad on 16 August 2018 after sustaining a knee injury in training. He was not replaced.^[22]

¹ On 31 August, Schalk Brits, Damian de Allende and Cheslin Kolbe were added to the squad ahead of the Australasian leg of the Championship in rounds 3 and 4.^[23]

² On 23 September, Vincent Koch, Ruhan Nel and S'busiso Nkosi were added to the squad ahead of round 5 and 6.^[24]

Player	Position	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Club/province
Schalk Brits ¹	Hooker	(1981-05-16)16 May 1981 (aged 37)	11	Unattached
Malcolm Marx	Hooker	(1994-07-13)13 July 1994 (aged 24)	14	Lions
Bongi Mbonambi	Hooker	(1991-01-07)7 January 1991 (aged 27)	16	Stormers
Akker van der Merwe	Hooker	(1991-06-17)17 June 1991 (aged 27)	3	Sharks
Thomas du Toit	Prop	(1995-05-05)5 May 1995 (aged 23)	4	Sharks
Steven Kitshoff	Prop	(1992-02-10)10 February 1992 (aged 26)	27	Stormers
Vincent Koch ²	Prop	(1990-03-13)13 March 1990 (aged 28)	9	Saracens
Wilco Louw	Prop	(1994-07-20)20 July 1994 (aged 24)	7	Stormers
Frans Malherbe	Prop	(1991-03-14)14 March 1991 (aged 27)	19	Stormers
Tendai Mtawarira	Prop	(1985-08-01)1 August 1985 (aged 33)	101	Sharks
Pieter-Steph du Toit	Lock	(1992-08-20)20 August 1992 (aged 25)	36	Stormers
Eben Etzebeth	Lock	(1991-10-29)29 October 1991 (aged 26)	67	Stormers
Franco Mostert	Lock	(1990-11-27)27 November 1990 (aged 27)	21	Lions
Marvin Orie	Lock	(1993-02-15)15 February 1993 (aged 25)	1	Lions
RG Snyman	Lock	(1995-01-29)29 January 1995 (aged 23)	3	Bulls
Cyle Brink	Flanker	(1994-01-16)16 January 1994 (aged 24)	0	Lions
Jean-Luc du Preez	Flanker	(1995-08-05)5 August 1995 (aged 23)	13	Sharks
Siya Kolisi (c)	Flanker	(1991-06-16)16 June 1991 (aged 27)	31	Stormers
Francois Louw	Flanker	(1985-06-15)15 June 1985 (aged 33)	57	Bath
Sikhumbuzo Notshe	Flanker	(1993-05-28)28 May 1993 (aged 25)	4	Stormers
Marco van Staden	Flanker	(1995-08-25)25 August 1995 (aged 22)	0	Bulls
Warren Whiteley	Number 8	(1987-09-18)18 September 1987 (aged 30)	17	Lions
Ross Cronjé	Scrum-half	(1989-07-26)26 July 1989 (aged 29)	10	Lions
Faf de Klerk	Scrum-half	(1991-10-19)19 October 1991 (aged 26)	14	Sale Sharks
Embrose Papier	Scrum-half	(1997-04-25)25 April 1997 (aged 21)	2	Bulls
Ivan van Zyl	Scrum-half	(1995-06-30)30 June 1995 (aged 23)	3	Bulls
Elton Jantjies	Fly-half	(1990-08-01)1 August 1990 (aged 28)	26	Lions
Handré Pollard	Fly-half	(1994-03-11)11 March 1994 (aged 24)	29	Bulls
Damian Willemse	Fly-half	(1998-05-07)7 May 1998 (aged 20)	0	Stormers
Lukhanyo Am	Centre	(1993-11-28)28 November 1993 (aged 24)	3	Sharks
Damian de Allende ¹	Centre	(1991-11-25)25 November 1991 (aged 26)	30	Western Province
André Esterhuizen	Centre	(1994-03-30)30 March 1994 (aged 24)	2	Sharks
Jesse Kriel	Centre	(1994-02-15)15 February 1994 (aged 24)	32	Bulls
Lionel Mapoe	Centre	(1988-07-13)13 July 1988 (aged 30)	12	Lions
Ruhan Nel ²	Centre	(1991-05-17)17 May 1991 (aged 27)	0	Western Province
Aphiwe Dyantyi	Wing	(1994-08-26)26 August 1994 (aged 23)	3	Lions
Makazole Mapimpi	Wing	(1990-07-26)26 July 1990 (aged 28)	1	Sharks
Lwazi Mvovo	Wing	(1986-06-03)3 June 1986 (aged 32)	17	Sharks
S'busiso Nkosi ²	Wing	(1996-01-21)21 January 1996 (aged 22)	3	Sharks
Cheslin Kolbe ¹	Fullback	(1993-10-28)28 October 1993 (aged 24)	0	Toulouse
Willie le Roux	Fullback	(1989-08-18)18 August 1989 (aged 29)	44	Wasps

References[edit]

^ "New Zealand beat Argentina 35-17 to lift trophy for sixth time". BBC Sport. 30 September 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
^ "All Blacks beat Pumas to clinch Rugby Championship silverware". ESPN. 30 September 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
^ "SANZAR - About The Rugby Championship". www.sanzarrugby.com. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
^ "SANZAR – The Rugby Championship Adopts Bonus Point System and Heads to London". www.sanzarrugby.com. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
^ "New Zealand beat Australia 38-13 in opener in Sydney". BBC Sport. 18 August 2018. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
^ "All Blacks century-makers: What it takes to crack 100". NZ Herald. 17 August 2018. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
^ "Springboks rally to defeat Argentina". ESPN. 18 August 2018. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
^ "Bledisloe Cup: New Zealand beat Australia 40-12 to lift trophy for 16th consecutive year". BBC Sport. 25 August 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
^ "Nicolas Sanchez inspires Pumas to rare victory over Springboks". ESPN. 25 August 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
^ Plantel para empezar los entrenamientos de cara al RCH 2018
^ Argentina Lose Montoya for Rugby Championship Opener
^ Blockade Ends as Figallo is Officially Back for Argentina
^ Changes to Pumas Roster for Mendoza
^ Gastón Cortés Added to Argentina for Oceania Tour
^ Herrera Back From France for Argentina
^ Montero Added to Pumas Roster
^ Teenager Petaia bolts into Wallabies' Bledisloe camp
^ Cottrell, Gordon named in Wallabies touring party
^ "All Blacks squad named for 2018 Investec Rugby Championship". All Blacks. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
^ Joe Moody ruled out of Investec Rugby Championship
^ "Marx, Whiteley and Etzebeth back in Springbok fold" (Press release). South African Rugby Union. 6 August 2018. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
^ "Forward quartet back for Springbok duty" (Press release). South African Rugby Union. 16 August 2018. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
^ "Kolbe added to Bok squad for Australasian tour" (Press release). South African Rugby Union. 31 August 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
^ "Nel, Nkosi, Koch added to Springbok squad" (Press release). South African Rugby Union. 23 September 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2018.

[1] "New Zealand beat Argentina 35-17 to lift trophy for sixth time". BBC Sport. 30 September 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.

[2] "All Blacks beat Pumas to clinch Rugby Championship silverware". ESPN. 30 September 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.

[3] "SANZAR - About The Rugby Championship". www.sanzarrugby.com. Retrieved 14 September 2017.

[4] "SANZAR – The Rugby Championship Adopts Bonus Point System and Heads to London". www.sanzarrugby.com. Retrieved 18 September 2016.

[5] "New Zealand beat Australia 38-13 in opener in Sydney". BBC Sport. 18 August 2018. Retrieved 23 August 2018.

[6] "All Blacks century-makers: What it takes to crack 100". NZ Herald. 17 August 2018. Retrieved 23 August 2018.

[7] "Springboks rally to defeat Argentina". ESPN. 18 August 2018. Retrieved 23 August 2018.

[8] "Bledisloe Cup: New Zealand beat Australia 40-12 to lift trophy for 16th consecutive year". BBC Sport. 25 August 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2018.

[9] "Nicolas Sanchez inspires Pumas to rare victory over Springboks". ESPN. 25 August 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2018.

[10] Plantel para empezar los entrenamientos de cara al RCH 2018

[11] Argentina Lose Montoya for Rugby Championship Opener

[12] Blockade Ends as Figallo is Officially Back for Argentina

[13] Changes to Pumas Roster for Mendoza

[14] Gastón Cortés Added to Argentina for Oceania Tour

[15] Herrera Back From France for Argentina

[16] Montero Added to Pumas Roster

[17] Teenager Petaia bolts into Wallabies' Bledisloe camp

[18] Cottrell, Gordon named in Wallabies touring party

[ABsquad-19] "All Blacks squad named for 2018 Investec Rugby Championship". All Blacks. Retrieved 6 August 2018.

[20] Joe Moody ruled out of Investec Rugby Championship

[Marx,_Whiteley_and_Etzebeth_back_in_Springbok_fold-21] "Marx, Whiteley and Etzebeth back in Springbok fold" (Press release). South African Rugby Union. 6 August 2018. Retrieved 6 August 2018.

[Forward_quartet_back_for_Springbok_duty-22] "Forward quartet back for Springbok duty" (Press release). South African Rugby Union. 16 August 2018. Retrieved 16 August 2018.

[Kolbe_added_to_Bok_squad_for_Australasian_tour-23] "Kolbe added to Bok squad for Australasian tour" (Press release). South African Rugby Union. 31 August 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2018.

[Nel,_Nkosi,_Koch_added_to_Springbok_squad-24] "Nel, Nkosi, Koch added to Springbok squad" (Press release). South African Rugby Union. 23 September 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2018.

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v t e The Rugby Championship
Teams	Argentina Australia New Zealand South Africa
Tri Nations	1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2020
Rugby Championship	2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2021 2022 2023 2024
SANZAAR Tri Nations Series champions

Background[edit]

Format[edit]

Table[edit]

Results[edit]

Round 1[edit]

Round 2[edit]

Round 3[edit]

Round 4[edit]

Round 5[edit]

Round 6[edit]

Statistics[edit]

Points scorers[edit]

Try scorers[edit]

Squads[edit]

Argentina[edit]

Australia[edit]

New Zealand[edit]

South Africa[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]