Overview
- South Africa edged Argentina 29-27 in London to finish level on 19 log points with New Zealand, taking the title on points difference built by wins of 43-10 over the All Blacks and 67-30 over the Pumas.
- It is the first time a Springbok side has defended the Rugby Championship, capped by their best attacking return under Rassie Erasmus with 208 points and 27 tries in six Tests.
- Rassie Erasmus said the squad treated Twickenham as a potential last chance to lift the trophy, with SANZAAR expected to outline a 2026–30 roadmap and a full four-nation tournament likely to pause as a South Africa–New Zealand series is planned for 2026.
- The champions next play Japan on 1 Nov at Wembley, then France (8 Nov), Italy (15 Nov), Ireland (22 Nov) and Wales (29 Nov), heading north as the world No. 1 with rankings feeding into the 2027 World Cup draw in early December.
- All Blacks coach Scott Robertson confirmed Beauden Barrett will be fit for the northern tour, while Tupou Vaa’i, Tyrel Lomax, Emoni Narawa and Noah Hotham will miss it; New Zealand face Ireland in Chicago before Scotland, England and Wales.