CAPE TOWN :With two years to go until the Rugby World Cup in Australia, this year’s Rugby Championship offers an early glimpse into the plans of the southern hemisphere heavyweights as they start shaping their squads for the 2027 tournament.

South Africa and Australia open this year’s championship at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday, while Argentina and New Zealand clash in their round one opener in Cordoba later in the day.

South Africa are the current world champions and Rugby Championship holders, and look the team to beat again despite a tough two-test visit to New Zealand, including their nemesis Eden Park in Auckland, where they have not won since 1937.

The All Blacks swept their three-match July series against an under-strength France and will have eyes on regaining a title

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