What a return for the Rugby Championship in 2025!
The Wallabies produced a win for the ages, knocking off the Springboks in the most unlikely of outcomes as they put to bed a 62-year winless run in Johannesburg, while the All Blacks fought off the wobbles to put Argentina away.
Can the Wallabies make more history in South Africa or will the Springboks make a statement in Cape Town? And can the Pumas bounce back in Buenos Aires?
Read on as we bring you the latest team news below and look ahead to the Round 1 clashes.
Saturday, August 23
South Africa vs. Australia, DHL Stadium, Cape Town, 1.10am AEST [3:10am NZST, 5:10pm RSA, 12:10pm ARG]
Springboks: Willie le Roux, Canan Moodie, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe, Handre Pollard, Grant Williams; Jean-Lu du Preez, Franco Mostert, Marco van Staden, Ruan Nortje, RG Snyman, Thomas du Toit, Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche
Replacements: Marcus van der Merwe, Boan Venter, Wilco Louw, Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, Kwagga Smith, Cobus Reinach, Sach Feinberg Mngomezulu
Wallabies: Tom Wright, Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Corey Toole, James O'Connor, Nic White, Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Tom Hooper, Will Skelton, Nick Frost, Taniela Tupou, Billy Pollard, Tom Robertson.
Replacements: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Angus Bell, Zane Nonggorr, Jeremy Williams, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Tate McDermott, Tane Edmed, Andrew Kellaway.
Team news: Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus has made a raft of changes following his side's capitulation in Johannesburg, with 10 new faces in the starting side. The biggest of those are the inclusion of veterans Handre Pollard, Damian de Allende and Willie le Roux in the backline, while RG Snyman and Ruan Nortje form a new locking combination. Erasmus has also opted for a 6-2 split on the bench.
Injuries have also forced Joe Schmidt's hand with captain Harry Wilson scratched through a knee injury, while wing Dylan Pietsch has been sidelined with a broken jaw. It's opened the door for flyer Corey Toole to finally make his Wallabies debut, while the back-row has been bolstered by the return of Rob Valetini. James Slipper has also been ruled out through concussion, which has seen in the return of Tom Robertson, while Nick Champion de Crespigny moves onto the bench.
Prediction: Shocked by the Wallabies last week, expect a fierce backlash from the Springboks come Saturday night in Cape Town. Recalling World Cup winning veterans, the Boks will likely go back to basics, with flyhalf Handre Pollard to bring a level head and security that was missing under Manie Libbok last week. Injuries to key forwards in Siya Kolisi and Pieter-Steph du Toit will have the Wallabies licking their lips though, with Rob Valetini returning to the line-up in Harry Wilson's absence, bolstering the a back-row trio that dominated the Boks through the second half. Corey Toole will also bring the pace in hist Test debut, brining another threat to an already fierce Wallabies' backline. Smelling blood in the water and with another record on the line, the Wallabies will be hunting a fast start before muscling their way to a famous victory.
Wallabies by 5
Argentina vs. New Zealand, Estadio José Amalfitani, Buenos Aires, 7:10am AEST [9:10am NZST, 11:10pm RSA, 6:10pm ARG]
Pumas: Juan Cruz Mallia, Bautista Delguy, Lucio Cinti, Santiago Chocobares, Mateo Carreras, Tomas Albornoz, Gonzalo Garcia, Joaquin Oviedo, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Pablo Matera, Pedro Rubiolo, Franco Molina, Pedro Delgado, Julian Montoya, Mayco Vivas.
Replacements: Ignacio Ruis, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Joel Sclavi, Guido Petti, Marcos Kremer, Simon Benitez Cruz, Santiago Carreras, Justo Piccardo
All Blacks: Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Billy Proctor, Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Beauden Barrett, Cortez Ratima, Simon Parker, Ardie Savea, Tupou Vaa'i, Fabian Holland, Scott Barrett, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: Samisoni Taukei'aho, Tamaiti Williams, Pasilio Tosi, Josh Lord, Wallace Sititi, Quinn Tupaea, Damian McKenzie.
Team news: Los Pumas have made just two changes to their 23 with Juan Martin Gonzalez moving into openside flanker with Marcos Kremer shifting to the bench. Meanwhile Mateo Carreras comes onto the edge, moving Bautista Delguy to the right wing as Rodrigo Isgro drops out of the matchday 23.
The All Blacks, meanwhile, have made five changes to their winning line-up with Simon Parker named to make his debut at No.8 with Du'Plessis Kirifi dropping out of the 23 completely. Tamati Williams and Wallace Sititi have both been named on the bench returning from knee and ankle injuries respectively. Codie Taylor will celebrate his 100th Test cap after he was named in the starting line-up.
Prediction: The All Blacks have never lost on the road in Argentina and it looks unlikely the record will break here. Despite a slow start to the second half last week that saw the Pumas claw their way back into the game, expect the All Blacks to rectify those issues, after they bolstered their bench with the return of Sititi and Williams. The Pumas will be desperate to start much faster this week in their final home Test for the year, but the All Blacks will simply have too much fire power to overcome.
All Blacks by 10