2025 Rugby Championship Round 6: South Africa, New Zealand, Australia Vie for Title on Final Day
Argentina vs. South Africa: Title glory on the line in London showdown
The 2025 Rugby Championship has been one of the most compelling in recent memory, and what better way to cap off an incredible campaign than a little bit of decider day drama!
Los Pumas are the only team in the competition that enters the final day out of the running for the title, but they could still have a massive impact on where the trophy ends this year, as they face the Springboks at Twickenham.
In essence, this is the final of the Rugby Championship this year, and according to our experts’ Argentina vs. South Africa prediction, the trophy is expected to head back to Africa when the final whistle blows.
While this serves as Los Pumas’ home game, it will feel like more of a homecoming for the Boks, given the number of South Africans and South African expats that currently reside in the UK!
Last weekend in Durban, the Green and Gold romped to a commanding 37-point victory off the back of a Sasha Feinberg-Mngomezulu masterclass in which he broke Percy Montgomery’s record for the most points scored by a South African in a Test.
Argentina vs. South Africa: Squads
Argentina: 15 Santiago Carreras , 14 Bautista Delguy, 13 Justo Piccardo, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 11 Juan Cruz Mallía, 10 Geronimo Prisciantelli, 9 Simon Benítez Cruz, 8 Santiago Grondona , 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Pedro Rubiolo , 4 Guido Petti, 3 Joel Sclavi, 2 Julian Montoya (c), 1 Mayco Vivas
Replacements: 16 Ignacio Ruiz, 17 Boris Wenger, 18 Francisco Coria Marchetti, 19 Franco Molina, 20 Juan Martín Gonzalez, 21 Joaquín Oviedo, 22 Agustin Moyano , 23 Rodrigo Isgro
Springboks: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Morne van den Berg, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Jesse Krie
Australia vs. New Zealand: Championship hopes and trans-Tasman pride at stake in Perth
Before Los Pumas and the Springboks lock horns in London, the Wallabies and the All Blacks will look to keep their title hopes alive when they meet in front of what should be a sold-out crowd at the Optus Stadium in Perth.
Both these sides are still in the running to win the trophy this year, and while there are several permutations at play, the primary objective for both these teams is simple: win the match with a bonus point!
As it stands, New Zealand are in second place, one point behind South Africa and a with -6 points difference, while Australia are third, four points off the Boks and holding a +1 points difference.
The All Blacks guaranteed that the coveted Bledisloe Cup will remain in New Zealand for another year by securing a hard-fought 33-24 victory in round five at their fortress Eden Park last weekend. However, a defeat in Perth will make that triumph feel a little hollow, especially if the Wallabies go on to win the Rugby Championship.
While Scott Robertson’s side gets the edge in this match based on our experts’ Australia vs. New Zealand prediction, Joe Schmidt has made huge strides forward with this Wallabies team, and that was never more evident than when they stunned the Springboks 38-22 at Ellis Park in Week 1.
The Aussies need a lot to go their way to secure the title this year, but with the race still wide open, anything can happen on this massive day. Don’t forget, you can be a part of every moment of the final day of the competition by using our Rugby Championship livescore tool.
Australia vs New Zealand: Squads
Australia: 15 Max Jorgensen, 14 Harry Potter, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Filipo Daugunu, 10 Tane Edmed, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Harry Wilson (c), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Tom Hooper, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Billy Pollard, 1 James Slipper
Replacements: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 Tom Robertson, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Jeremy Williams, 20 Rob Valetini, 21 Ryan Lonergan, 22 James O’Connor, 23 Josh Flook
New Zealand: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Leroy Carter, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Peter Lakai, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Simon Parker, 5 Fabian Holland, 4 Scott Barrett (c), 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Tamaiti Williams
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 George Bower, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Wallace Sititi, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Rieko Ioane, 23 Ruben Love
