Rugby: Autumn Nations Series to open with a bang - Springboks head to Wembley, Ireland face All Blacks in Chicago
South Africa vs. Japan - Wembley Stadium (16:10 GMT)
It has now been a decade since Japan pulled off one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history by beating South Africa, and the Brave Blossoms will be hoping to notch up another win against the world champions this weekend when they meet at Wembley Stadium in the 2025 Autumn Nations Series.
After a narrow defeat to Fiji in the Pacific Nations Cup final in September, Japan resumed international duty against the Wallabies last week in Tokyo, and they gave a good account of themselves but lost the match by four points (19-15).
South Africa come into this game off the back of retaining the Rugby Championship title at the start of October, where, despite not being at their absolute best, still managed to reign supreme in the battle of the Southern Hemisphere heavyweights.
England vs. Australia - Twickenham (15:10 GMT)
Saturday’s 2025 Autumn Nations Series action kicks off at Twickenham, with England seeking revenge against Australia after that incredible finish in last year’s November Tests, where Max Jorgensen pulled off a last-minute victory for the Wallabies.
Steve Borthwick’s side are restored to full strength here for the first time since the 2025 Six Nations. The Red Roses sent out a changed-up team in the mid-year Tests due to the British & Irish Lions Tour, and our experts are leaning toward the home side in this one, according to our England vs Australia prediction.
However, after a couple of poor years, Australia are a side on the up, having beaten South Africa and Argentina in the 2025 Rugby Championship, while they also had a chance to warm up for this clash against Japan last weekend.
Scotland vs. USA - Murrayfield (17:40)
The penultimate match of the weekend comes from Murrayfield, where Scotland will be hosting the USA. Gregor Townsend will also use this month’s matches as crucial preparation for the Six Nations Championship early next year.
The Scots have been in mixed form this year, only managing fourth place in the 2025 Six Nations, while their wins against the Maori All Blacks, Fiji and Samoa in July provided little insight into how they will fare in this series. Check out our Scotland vs USA prediction.
Similarly, the USA have also been in mixed form in 2025, having lost to Spain and England in July before claiming fifth place in the Pacific Nations Cup, which subsequently earned them qualification for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Ireland vs. New Zealand (20:00 GMT)
The final curtain on a jam-packed opening week in the Autumn Nations Series sees us head west to Soldier Field in Chicago, where Ireland and New Zealand will meet in arguably the pick of the matches this weekend.
The Shamrocks relinquished the Six Nations title to France this year but enjoyed an impressive mid-year series, beating Italy, Georgia and Portugal. Andy Farrell’s side have only lost two games in the last year, and our Ireland vs New Zealand prediction suggests they will keep this one close.
While many feel that the neutral venue could benefit New Zealand, the All Blacks did lose to Ireland here in Chicago back in 2016. Scott Robertson’s side also came up agonisingly short in the Rugby Championship after losing two of their six matches.
