{"id":76594,"date":"2025-08-14T17:57:42","date_gmt":"2025-08-14T07:57:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/?p=76594"},"modified":"2025-09-12T11:30:03","modified_gmt":"2025-09-12T01:30:03","slug":"2025-the-rugby-championship-round-1-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/2025\/08\/2025-the-rugby-championship-round-1-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 The Rugby Championship Round 1 Preview"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

After the thrill of the Lions series, the international season keeps on delivering as the Rugby Championship begins this weekend with two massive fixtures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It kicks off in Johannesburg with the Wallabies taking on the Springboks before an early Sunday morning clash between the All Blacks and Pumas<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find our tips and previews for every game below.<\/p>\n\n\n

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South Africa<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
Australia<\/div>\n
Sunday 1:10am – Ellis Park<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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The most daunting prospect in world rugby awaits the Wallabies as they face the world champions at the cathedral that is Ellis Park in Johannesburg with the master coach Rassie Erasmus taking any speculation out of the equation in naming his team on a Monday.<\/p>\n

The side filled with 18 World Cup winners with captain Siya Kolisi lining at number 8 and the halves pairing of Grant Williams and Marnie Libbok will steer the side around.<\/p>\n

On the other side, the Wallabies it’s hard to know what to expect post Lions series and how much of an emotional drain that series had on the side.<\/p>\n

James O\u2019 Connor is expected to get the chance to start at flyhalf, his first test match in 1099 days.<\/p>\n

Australia haven\u2019t won in South Africa since 2010 and a win at Ellis Park hasn\u2019t happened since 1963.<\/p>\n

I think the Boks will be far too good in this opening clash and here are my plays for the match.<\/p>\n