The Springboks head into their clash against Wales as favourites while Ireland may be hard-pressed to overcome New Zealand this Saturday.
The first phase of the Nations Championship will come to a conclusion on Saturday, and there's a chance that two teams – the Boks and New Zealand – will finish this block of matches unbeaten.
The Boks currently lead the southern conference standings by virtue of their superior points-difference, while the All Blacks are in second place.
Meanwhile Ireland are at the top of the northern ladder, followed by France.
The first clash of the third round will have a bearing on where the teams finish – as New Zealand and Ireland will be gunning for four log points when they meet in Auckland on Saturday.
Japan will host France in Tokyo before Australia tackle Italy in Perth. Neither the Wallabies nor the Azzurri have managed to win a game to date.
Fiji may continue to struggle when they face Scotland in Edinburgh, and Wales will have a mountain to climb when they take on the Boks in Durban.
The battle between Argentina and England in Santiago del Estero should be fiercely contested, given that both teams will have a point to prove in light of recent results.
New Zealand v Ireland
- Date: Saturday, 18 July
- Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
- Time: 9:10am (SA Time)
- TV: Supersport
The All Blacks haven't lost a match at Eden Park since 1994, and at this stage of the season, Ireland are unlikely to produce they type of performance needed to prevail in New Zealand. Ireland start as 4.20 underdogs, but the +11 handicap (1.95) is worth exploring.
Japan v France
- Date: Saturday, 18 July
- Venue: Japan National Stadium, Tokyo
- Time: 10:40am (SA Time)
- TV: Supersport
Japan beat Italy and then pushed Ireland close, but will battle to match the physicality and intensity of France, especially in the second half. It's likely that France will win this clash by 36-40 points (6.50) – at the very least.
Australia v Italy
- Date: Saturday, 18 July
- Venue: HBF Park, Perth
- Time: 12:10pm (SA Time)
- TV: Supersport
Australia have dropped nine of their last 10 matches while Italy have lost momentum since beating Scotland and England at the start of the year. The handicap (+16 at 1.95) is worth betting on, and braver bettors will put money on the Azzurri (6.00 underdogs) to score a big upset.
Fiji v Scotland
- Date: Saturday, 18 July
- Venue: Scottish Gas Murrayfield, Edinburgh
- Time: 3:10pm (SA Time)
- TV: Supersport
Scotland should bounce back from their recent loss to the Boks when they face a Fiji side that conceded 73 points against England last week.This could be a high-scoring affair, and the Scots should win by a 21-25 points (5.00) at the very least.
Springboks v Wales
- Date: Saturday, 18 July
- Venue: Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
- Time: 5:40pm (SA Time)
- TV: Supersport
Wales are listed as 34.00 underdogs in Durban this Saturday. The Boks thrashed Wales 73-0 the last time the teams met in November 2025, but the scoreline may be closer on this occasion, although the Dragons may fall away in the second half. The Boks should get the job done and win by 36-40 points (5.25).
Argentina v England
- Date: Saturday, 18 July
- Venue: EstadioUnico Madre de Ciudades, Santiago del Estero
- Time: 9:10pm (SA Time)
- TV: Supersport
The Pumas come into this match as marginal underdogs (2.20), and this is a bet worth taking, given they have grown stronger since their round one loss to Scotland, and England haven't beaten any of the top 10 sides in 2026.
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