England travel to Johannesburg this afternoon to face South Africa in the first match of the inaugural Nations Championship. The new biennial competition has drawn criticism from rugby fans who argue it 'ring fences' smaller nations, limiting their opportunities to play top international sides.
Format and Structure
The tournament is essentially a battle of the hemispheres, with teams from the north and south competing. Each conference has six teams: England joins the other Six Nations sides in the northern hemisphere, while South Africa is joined by New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, Fiji, and Japan in the southern hemisphere league. The 12 teams are locked in for three years with no promotion or relegation.
Match Details
Kick-off is at 4:40 PM BST at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg. Stay tuned for live updates throughout the match.
