Rugby Championship 2024 — what to expect

The Rugby Championship brings together the four big southern-hemisphere sides: New Zealand (All Blacks), South Africa (Springboks), Australia (Wallabies) and Argentina (Los Pumas). If you want a fast read that tells you the format, how the points work, where to follow matches and what matters for rankings and the World Cup — this is it.

Format & points that decide the table

The tournament is a round-robin where each team plays the others home and away. That means high-stakes matches in front of noisy, passionate crowds across four countries. The standings use the familiar bonus-point system: 4 points for a win, 2 for a draw, plus a bonus point if a team scores four or more tries in a match and a losing bonus if you lose by seven points or fewer. Those bonus points often decide the title, so teams hunt tries even when the result looks settled.

Why does that matter? Because a single bonus point can turn a narrow series loss into a solid championship push. Coaches plan for that: late-game tactics usually aim to nab one extra try or hold the margin inside seven.

Key things fans should watch

Want to know the match-winners before you watch? Focus on a few areas: set-piece dominance (scrums and lineouts), breakdown efficiency (ruck work and turnovers) and whether a side can convert pressure into tries. The southern teams often produce contrasting styles — raw power up front, slick backline moves, and unpredictable finishing from the Pumas. Those differences shape every game and make the Championship thrilling week after week.

Injuries and squad rotation matter too. These tests are used to sharpen squads ahead of global events, so you might see fresh faces push for a World Cup spot. That keeps the tournament competitive and gives fans early glimpses of future stars.

What about tactics? Expect heavy kicking battles in wet or windy conditions, and rapid ball movement when the weather allows. Managers will tweak game plans to exploit opponents’ weaknesses from one test to the next.

Travel tip for fans: southern-hemisphere fixtures span big time zones. Check kickoff local times and arrive early if you’re going to a stadium — queues for security and merchandise can be long. Buy tickets only from official outlets to avoid scams.

Want to watch live? Rights differ by country, so check local sports broadcasters and official rugby union channels. If you prefer highlights and live scores, team websites and major sports apps give fast updates, stats and player ratings. Social channels from the unions also post key tries and match moments within minutes.

Finally, the Rugby Championship affects world rankings and builds momentum toward the World Cup. Strong form here can change seedings and confidence, so every test carries weight beyond a single weekend. Bookmark this tag for match previews, scorelines, standout performers and quick analysis as the 2024 Championship unfolds.