The Springboks should get their Test campaign off to a winning start against England while New Zealand start as favourites against France.
The inaugural Nations Championship kicks off this weekend, with the leading teams in the south hosting the top sides from the north.
The Boks and the All Blacks should win their respective fixtures in Johannesburg and Christchurch, while the Wallabies may find Ireland tougher to topple in Sydney.
Elsewhere, Japan face Italy in Tokyo, Fiji "host" Wales in Cardiff due to logistical challenges, and Argentina battle Scotland in Cordoba.
The respective teams will compete for wins as well as bonus points over the next six rounds of the tournament.
In late November, the leading sides from the northern and southern conferences will advance to the grand final in London.
New Zealand v France
- Date: Saturday, 4 July
- Venue: One NZ Stadium, Christchurch
- Time: 9am (SA Time)
- TV: Supersport
France sent an understrength team to New Zealand last year, and lost the series 3-0. A number of players who featured in last week's Top 14 final will be unavailable for the Nations Championship opener in Christchurch, and as a result, the tourists – who start at 4.20 underdogs – may be content with a losing bonus point. The handicap bet of +12 (1.95) is worth a punt, as the Six Nations champions have still managed to field a decent side, in spite of the absences.
Japan v Italy
- Date: Saturday, 4 July
- Venue: Tokyo Stadium.Tokyo
- Time: 10:30am (SA Time)
- TV: Supersport
Italy beat Australia last November, before downing Scotland and England in the 2026 Six Nations. The Azzurri should fancy their chances against a rebuilding Japan side, who start as 3.40 underdogs, and Japan would do well to finish within the +9 handicap (2.00).
Australia v Ireland
- Date: Saturday, 4 July
- Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
- Time: 12pm (SA Time)
- TV: Supersport
The Wallabies are under pressure to deliver in the next set of home matches, given that the 2027 World Cup will be staged on Australian soil. Ireland are not the side they once were, but were still good enough to win four of their Six Nations fixtures – and will remember their 46-19 win against the Wallabies last November. Brave bettors will favour Australia (2.10), and it should be a tight contest.
Fiji v Wales
- Date: Saturday, 4 July
- Venue: Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff
- Time: 3:10pm (SA Time)
- TV: Supersport
Wales have lost 24 of their last 27 Tests, and it remains to be seen whether they will take advantage of the fact that their next "away" fixture will be staged in Cardiff. Fiji have had the better of recent contests, and will target this particular game as a must win, given they will face tougher opponents in England and Scotland in subsequent weeks. Incredibly, Wales start this match in Cardiff as 2.20 underdogs. Given Fiji may lack synergy at this early stage of the Test season, and the location of the fixture, it may well be worth betting on the Dragons.
Springboks v England
- Date: Saturday, 4 July
- Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
- Time: 5:30pm (SA Time)
- TV: Supersport
The Boks finished 2025 as the leading team on the planet, after winning 12 of their 14 Tests. At that stage, England were the best team in the north. Fast forward to the present, where England have arrived in South Africa on the back of their worst Six Nations campaign in history – which witnessed four losses in five matches. The visitors will be hard-pressed to live with the Boks at altitude this Saturday, and may be content with a narrow loss. The hosts, who are coming off a 80-31 thrashing of the Barbarians, will aim to start their Test schedule with a bang. Few are giving England a chance – as the 7.00 odds suggest – and the visitors will start with a +16 handicap. The latter bet may be worth exploring, given England have shown their attacking prowess in recent matches.
Argentina v Scotland
- Date: Saturday, 4 July
- Venue: Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes, Cordoba
- Time: 9pm (SA Time)
- TV: Supersport
Argentina made a statement when they beat Scotland in Edinburgh last November, and should be desperate to follow that result up with another victory in Cordoba this Saturday. The Scots have a tough schedule this July – travelling to South Africa and Edinburgh in subsequent weeks – and while they have a formidable attack they may struggle to sustain their effort in this block of matches. Gregor Townsend's charges start as 3.80 underdogs, but should finish within the +9 handicap (1.95), given the Pumas haven't played together in several months.
Place Your Bets Today
The inaugural Nations Championship brings international rugby excitement to fans across the globe. Back your team and find all the best match markets and competitive odds at SuperSportBet.
