# 2012 Rugby Championship

The 2012 Rugby Championship was the inaugural annual rugby union series between the national rugby union teams of New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and Argentina. For sponsorship reasons, the competition was known as The Castle Rugby Championship in South Africa, The Investec Rugby Championship in New Zealand, The Castrol Edge Rugby Championship in Australia and The Personal Rugby Championship in Argentina.
The 2012 Rugby Championship kicked off on 18 August with New Zealand defeating Australia and finished on 6 October. Each team played the other twice on a home and away basis. The inaugural Championship was won by New Zealand, which was their 11th Southern Hemisphere title including the Tri Nations.

## Standings

| Place | Nation | Games | Games | Games | Games | Points | Points | Points | Try Bonus | Losing Bonus | Table points |
| Place | Nation | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | For | Against | Diff | Try Bonus | Losing Bonus | Table points |
| 1 | New Zealand | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 177 | 66 | +111 | 2 | 0 | 26 |
| 2 | Australia | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 101 | 137 | −36 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| 3 | South Africa | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 120 | 109 | +11 | 1 | 1 | 12 |
| 4 | Argentina | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 80 | 166 | −86 | 0 | 2 | 4 |

## Fixtures
### Round 1

* 18 August 2012 20:05 AEST (UTC+10)
| Australia | 19–27 | New Zealand |
| Try: Sharpe 38' c Con: Barnes (1/1) 39' Pen: Barnes (4/4) 2', 44', 49', 75' | Report | Try: Dagg 12' c Jane 32' m Con: Carter (1/2) 13' Pen: Carter (5/6) 10', 19', 47', 62', 80+2' |
* Stadium Australia, Sydney Attendance: 76,877 Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)
| Australia | New Zealand |
| FB | 15 | Kurtley Beale |
| RW | 14 | Adam Ashley-Cooper |
| OC | 13 | Rob Horne |
| IC | 12 | Anthony Fainga'a |
| LW | 11 | Digby Ioane |
| FH | 10 | Berrick Barnes |
| SH | 9 | Will Genia |
| N8 | 8 | Scott Higginbotham |
| OF | 7 | David Pocock (c) |
| BF | 6 | Dave Dennis | 64' |
| RL | 5 | Nathan Sharpe |
| LL | 4 | Sitaleki Timani | 40' to 44' | 40' to 44' | 66' | 70' |
| TP | 3 | Ben Darwin | | 52' to 56' | 52' to 56' | 79' |
| HK | 2 | Tatafu Polota-Nau | 59' |
| LP | 1 | Benn Robinson | 68' |
| Substitutes: ||
| HK | 16 | Stephen Moore | 59' |
| PR | 17 | James Slipper | 68' |
| LK | 18 | Rob Simmons | 40' | 44' | 66' | 70' |
| FL | 19 | Radike Samo | 64' |
| FL | 20 | Michael Hooper |
| SH | 21 | Nick Phipps |
| WG | 22 | Drew Mitchell |
| Coach: ||
| Robbie Deans ||
| FB | 15 | Israel Dagg |
| RW | 14 | Cory Jane |
| OC | 13 | Ma'a Nonu |
| IC | 12 | Sonny Bill Williams |
| LW | 11 | Hosea Gear |
| FH | 10 | Dan Carter |
| SH | 9 | Aaron Smith | 79' |
| N8 | 8 | Kieran Read |
| OF | 7 | Richie McCaw (c) |
| BF | 6 | Liam Messam |
| RL | 5 | Sam Whitelock |
| LL | 4 | Luke Romano | 52' |
| TP | 3 | Owen Franks |
| HK | 2 | Keven Mealamu | 77' |
| LP | 1 | Tony Woodcock | 64' |
| Substitutes: ||
| HK | 16 | Andrew Hore | 77' |
| PR | 17 | Ben Franks | 64' |
| LK | 18 | Brodie Retallick | 52' |
| FL | 19 | Victor Vito |
| SH | 20 | Piri Weepu | 79' |
| FH | 21 | Aaron Cruden |
| FB | 22 | Ben Smith |
| Coach: ||
| Steve Hansen ||
Man of the Match Israel Dagg (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Nigel Owens (Wales) Lourens van der Merwe (South Africa) Television match official: Matt Goddard (Australia)
* 18 August 2012 17:00 SAST (UTC+02)
| South Africa | 27–6 | Argentina |
| Try: Kirchner 16' c Coetzee 27' c Habana 56' c Con: M. Steyn (3/3) 17', 28', 57' Pen: M. Steyn (2/2) 3', 24' | Report | Pen: Hernández (2/4) 13', 30' |
* Newlands Stadium, Cape Town Attendance: 38,843 Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)
| South Africa | Argentina |
| FB | 15 | Zane Kirchner |
| RW | 14 | Bryan Habana | 69' |
| OC | 13 | Jean de Villiers (c) |
| IC | 12 | François Steyn |
| LW | 11 | Lwazi Mvovo | 60' |
| FH | 10 | Morné Steyn |
| SH | 9 | Francois Hougaard |
| N8 | 8 | Keegan Daniel | 52' |
| OF | 7 | Willem Alberts |
| BF | 6 | Marcell Coetzee |
| RL | 5 | Andries Bekker | 58' |
| LL | 4 | Eben Etzebeth |
| TP | 3 | Jannie du Plessis | 31' | 35' | 70' |
| HK | 2 | Bismarck du Plessis | 4' |
| LP | 1 | Tendai Mtawarira |
| Substitutes: ||
| HK | 16 | Adriaan Strauss | 4' |
| PR | 17 | Pat Cilliers | 31' | 35' | 70' |
| LK | 18 | Flip van der Merwe | 58' |
| FL | 19 | Jacques Potgieter | 52' |
| SH | 20 | Ruan Pienaar | 60' |
| FH | 21 | Patrick Lambie |
| CE | 22 | JJ Engelbrecht | 69' |
| Coach: ||
| Heyneke Meyer ||
| FB | 15 | Lucas González Amorosino |
| RW | 14 | Gonzalo Camacho |
| OC | 13 | Marcelo Bosch |
| IC | 12 | Santiago Fernández | 69' |
| LW | 11 | Horacio Agulla |
| FH | 10 | Juan Martín Hernández |
| SH | 9 | Nicolás Vergallo | 65' |
| N8 | 8 | Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe (c) |
| OF | 7 | Alvaro Galindo | 42' |
| BF | 6 | Julio Farías Cabello | 69' |
| RL | 5 | Patricio Albacete |
| LL | 4 | Manuel Carizza |
| TP | 3 | Juan Figallo | 60' |
| HK | 2 | Eusebio Guiñazú |
| LP | 1 | Rodrigo Roncero | 60' |
| Substitutes: ||
| HK | 16 | Bruno Postiglioni |
| PR | 17 | Marcos Ayerza | 60' |
| PR | 18 | Juan Pablo Orlandi | 60' |
| FL | 19 | Tomás Leonardi | 42' |
| N8 | 20 | Leonardo Senatore | 69' |
| SH | 21 | Martín Landajo | 65' |
| CE | 22 | Martín Rodríguez | 69' |
| Coach: ||
| Santiago Phelan ||
Man of the Match Morné Steyn (South Africa)
Touch judges: Jérôme Garcès (France) John Lacey (Ireland) Television match official: Johann Meuwesen (South Africa)

### Round 2

* 25 August 2012 19:35 NZST (UTC+12)
| New Zealand | 22–0 | Australia |
| Try: Dagg 45' c Con: Carter (1/1) 46' Pen: Carter (5/6) 25', 29', 38', 42', 48' | Report | |
* Eden Park, Auckland Attendance: 48,460 Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
| New Zealand | Australia |
| FB | 15 | Israel Dagg | 70' |
| RW | 14 | Cory Jane |
| OC | 13 | Ma'a Nonu | 55' |
| IC | 12 | Sonny Bill Williams |
| LW | 11 | Hosea Gear |
| FH | 10 | Dan Carter |
| SH | 9 | Aaron Smith | 64' |
| N8 | 8 | Kieran Read |
| OF | 7 | Richie McCaw (c) |
| BF | 6 | Liam Messam | 64' |
| RL | 5 | Sam Whitelock |
| LL | 4 | Luke Romano | 47' |
| TP | 3 | Owen Franks |
| HK | 2 | Keven Mealamu | 47' |
| LP | 1 | Wyatt Crockett | 55' |
| Substitutes: ||
| HK | 16 | Andrew Hore | 47' |
| PR | 17 | Ben Franks | 55' |
| LK | 18 | Brodie Retallick | 47' |
| FL | 19 | Victor Vito | 64' |
| SH | 20 | Piri Weepu | 64' |
| FH | 21 | Aaron Cruden | 70' |
| FB | 22 | Ben Smith | 55' |
| Coach: ||
| Steve Hansen ||
| FB | 15 | Adam Ashley-Cooper |
| RW | 14 | Drew Mitchell | | 34' |
| OC | 13 | Rob Horne | | 40' |
| IC | 12 | Berrick Barnes |
| LW | 11 | Digby Ioane |
| FH | 10 | Quade Cooper |
| SH | 9 | Will Genia (c) | 28' to 38' |
| N8 | 8 | Scott Higginbotham | | 46' |
| OF | 7 | Michael Hooper |
| BF | 6 | Dave Dennis | | 54' |
| RL | 5 | Nathan Sharpe |
| LL | 4 | Sitaleki Timani |
| TP | 3 | Ben Alexander |
| HK | 2 | Stephen Moore | | 72' |
| LP | 1 | Benn Robinson | | 42' |
| Substitutes: ||
| HK | 16 | Saia Fainga'a | | 72' |
| PR | 17 | James Slipper | | 42' |
| FL | 18 | Radike Samo | | 46' |
| FL | 19 | Liam Gill | | 54' |
| SH | 20 | Nick Phipps |
| CE | 21 | Anthony Fainga'a | | 40' |
| FB | 22 | Kurtley Beale | | 34' |
| Coach: ||
| Robbie Deans ||
Man of the Match: Sonny Bill Williams (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Alain Rolland (Ireland) Lourens van der Merwe (South Africa) Television match official: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
* 25 August 2012 16:10 AST (UTC−03)
| Argentina | 16–16 | South Africa |
| Try: Fernández 16' c Con: Rodríguez (1/1) 17' Pen: Rodríguez (3/5) 11', 35', 50' | Report | Try: F. Steyn 64' c Con: M. Steyn (1/1) 65' Pen: M. Steyn (3/7) 32', 48', 53' |
* Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza Attendance: 37,679 Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)
| Argentina | South Africa |
| FB | 15 | Martín Rodríguez |
| RW | 14 | Gonzalo Camacho |
| OC | 13 | Marcelo Bosch |
| IC | 12 | Santiago Fernández |
| LW | 11 | Horacio Agulla |
| FH | 10 | Nicolás Sánchez | 54' |
| SH | 9 | Nicolás Vergallo | 56' |
| N8 | 8 | Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe (c) |
| OF | 7 | Alvaro Galindo | 35' |
| BF | 6 | Julio Farías Cabello | 75' |
| RL | 5 | Patricio Albacete |
| LL | 4 | Manuel Carizza |
| TP | 3 | Juan Figallo |
| HK | 2 | Eusebio Guiñazú |
| LP | 1 | Rodrigo Roncero | 56' |
| Substitutes: ||
| HK | 16 | Bruno Postiglioni |
| PR | 17 | Marcos Ayerza | 56' |
| N8 | 18 | Leonardo Senatore | 75' |
| FL | 19 | Tomás Leonardi | 35' |
| SH | 20 | Martín Landajo | 56' |
| FB | 21 | Lucas González Amorosino | 54' |
| WG | 22 | Juan Imhoff |
| Coach: ||
| Santiago Phelan ||
| FB | 15 | Zane Kirchner |
| RW | 14 | Bryan Habana | 57' |
| OC | 13 | Jean de Villiers (c) |
| IC | 12 | François Steyn |
| LW | 11 | Lwazi Mvovo |
| FH | 10 | Morné Steyn |
| SH | 9 | Francois Hougaard |
| N8 | 8 | Willem Alberts |
| OF | 7 | Jacques Potgieter |
| BF | 6 | Marcell Coetzee | 65' |
| RL | 5 | Andries Bekker | 49' |
| LL | 4 | Eben Etzebeth |
| TP | 3 | Jannie du Plessis | 68' |
| HK | 2 | Adriaan Strauss | 75' |
| LP | 1 | Tendai Mtawarira |
| Substitutes: ||
| HK | 16 | Tiaan Liebenberg | 75' |
| PR | 17 | Pat Cilliers | 68' |
| LK | 18 | Flip van der Merwe | 49' |
| N8 | 19 | Keegan Daniel | 65' |
| SH | 20 | Ruan Pienaar | 57' |
| FH | 21 | Patrick Lambie |
| CE | 22 | JJ Engelbrecht |
| Coach: ||
| Heyneke Meyer ||
Man of the Match Rodrigo Roncero (Argentina)
Touch judges: Jérôme Garcès (France) John Lacey (Ireland) Television match official: Francisco Pastrana (Argentina)

### Round 3

* 8 September 2012 19:35 NZST (UTC+12)
| New Zealand | 21–5 | Argentina |
| Try: Savea 66' m Jane 71' c Con: Cruden (1/2) 73' Pen: Cruden (3/5) 8', 24', 51' | Report | Try: Roncero 12' m |
* Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington Attendance: 29,932 Referee: Romain Poite (France)
| New Zealand | Argentina |
| FB | 15 | Israel Dagg |
| RW | 14 | Cory Jane |
| OC | 13 | Conrad Smith | 76' |
| IC | 12 | Ma'a Nonu |
| LW | 11 | Julian Savea |
| FH | 10 | Aaron Cruden | 75' |
| SH | 9 | Aaron Smith | 61' |
| N8 | 8 | Kieran Read |
| OF | 7 | Richie McCaw (c) |
| BF | 6 | Victor Vito | 43' |
| RL | 5 | Brodie Retallick | 64' |
| LL | 4 | Luke Romano |
| TP | 3 | Owen Franks | 74' |
| HK | 2 | Keven Mealamu | 49' |
| LP | 1 | Tony Woodcock |
| Substitutes: ||
| HK | 16 | Andrew Hore | 49' |
| PR | 17 | Charlie Faumuina | 74' |
| LK | 18 | Sam Whitelock | 64' |
| FL | 19 | Liam Messam | 43' |
| SH | 20 | Piri Weepu | 61' |
| FH | 21 | Beauden Barrett | 75' |
| FB | 22 | Ben Smith | 76' |
| Coach: ||
| Steve Hansen ||
| FB | 15 | Martín Rodríguez | | 67' |
| RW | 14 | Gonzalo Camacho |
| OC | 13 | Marcelo Bosch | | 77' |
| IC | 12 | Santiago Fernández |
| LW | 11 | Horacio Agulla |
| FH | 10 | Juan Martín Hernández |
| SH | 9 | Nicolás Vergallo |
| N8 | 8 | Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe (c) |
| OF | 7 | Juan Manuel Leguizamón | | 41' |
| BF | 6 | Julio Farías Cabello | 58' to 68' | 74' |
| RL | 5 | Patricio Albacete |
| LL | 4 | Manuel Carizza |
| TP | 3 | Juan Figallo | | 51' |
| HK | 2 | Eusebio Guiñazú |
| LP | 1 | Rodrigo Roncero | | 51' |
| Substitutes: ||
| HK | 16 | Agustín Creevy |
| PR | 17 | Marcos Ayerza | | 51' |
| PR | 18 | Juan Pablo Orlandi | | 51' |
| N8 | 19 | Leonardo Senatore | | 74' |
| FL | 20 | Tomás Leonardi | | 41' |
| SH | 21 | Martín Landajo | | 77' |
| WG | 22 | Lucas González Amorosino | | 67' |
| Coach: ||
| Santiago Phelan ||
Man of the Match Marcelo Bosch (Argentina)
Touch judges: George Clancy (Ireland) James Leckie (Australia) Television match official: Vinny Munro (New Zealand)
* 8 September 2012 18:35 AWST (UTC+08)
| Australia | 26–19 | South Africa (1 BP) |
| Try: Higginbotham 56' c Alexander 68' c Con: Barnes (2/2) 55', 69' Pen: Barnes (4/4) 18', 29', 48', 63' | Report | Try: Habana 20' c Con: M. Steyn (1/1) 20' Pen: M. Steyn (2/3) 3', 67' F. Steyn (2/2) 25', 60' |
* Subiaco Oval, Perth Attendance: 34,377 Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
| Australia | South Africa |
| FB | 15 | Kurtley Beale | 71' |
| RW | 14 | Dominic Shipperley |
| OC | 13 | Adam Ashley-Cooper |
| IC | 12 | Berrick Barnes | 71' |
| LW | 11 | Digby Ioane |
| FH | 10 | Quade Cooper |
| SH | 9 | Will Genia (c) | 70' |
| N8 | 8 | Radike Samo | 52' |
| OF | 7 | Michael Hooper |
| BF | 6 | Dave Dennis |
| RL | 5 | Nathan Sharpe |
| LL | 4 | Sitaleki Timani | 64' |
| TP | 3 | Ben Alexander | | 74' |
| HK | 2 | Tatafu Polota-Nau | 74' |
| LP | 1 | Matt Dunning | 31' | 74' |
| Substitutes: ||
| HK | 16 | Saia Fainga'a | 74' |
| PR | 17 | James Slipper | 31' |
| FL | 18 | Scott Higginbotham | 52' |
| FL | 19 | Liam Gill | 64' |
| SH | 20 | Nick Phipps | 70' |
| FH | 21 | Mike Harris | 71' |
| CE | 22 | Anthony Fainga'a | 71' |
| Coach: ||
| Robbie Deans ||
| FB | 15 | Zane Kirchner | | 71' |
| RW | 14 | Bryan Habana | | 52' |
| OC | 13 | Jean de Villiers (c) |
| IC | 12 | François Steyn |
| LW | 11 | Francois Hougaard |
| FH | 10 | Morné Steyn | | 71' |
| SH | 9 | Ruan Pienaar |
| N8 | 8 | Duane Vermeulen | | 34' | 43' |
| OF | 7 | Willem Alberts |
| BF | 6 | Marcell Coetzee | | 57' |
| RL | 5 | Juandré Kruger |
| LL | 4 | Eben Etzebeth | | 59' |
| TP | 3 | Jannie du Plessis | | | | 53' |
| HK | 2 | Adriaan Strauss | | 75' |
| LP | 1 | Tendai Mtawarira | 33' to 43' |
| Substitutes: ||
| HK | 16 | Tiaan Liebenberg | | 75' |
| PR | 17 | Pat Cilliers | | 34' | 43' | 53' |
| LK | 18 | Flip van der Merwe | | 59' |
| FL | 19 | Francois Louw | | 57' |
| FH | 20 | Johan Goosen | | 71' |
| FH | 21 | Patrick Lambie | | 71' |
| WG | 22 | Lwazi Mvovo | | 52' |
| Coach: ||
| Heyneke Meyer ||
Man of the Match Berrick Barnes (Australia)
Touch judges: Wayne Barnes (England) Glen Jackson (New Zealand) Television match official: Matt Goddard (Australia)

### Round 4

* 15 September 2012 19:35 NZST (UTC+12)
| New Zealand | 21–11 | South Africa |
| Try: Dagg 19' m A. Smith 60' c Con: Cruden (1/2) 60' Pen: Cruden (3/5) 52', 75', 82' | Report | Try: Habana 48' m Pen: M. Steyn (1/4) 18' Goosen (1/2) 70' |
* Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin Attendance: 28,982 Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
| New Zealand | South Africa |
| FB | 15 | Israel Dagg |
| RW | 14 | Cory Jane |
| OC | 13 | Conrad Smith |
| IC | 12 | Ma'a Nonu |
| LW | 11 | Julian Savea |
| FH | 10 | Aaron Cruden |
| SH | 9 | Piri Weepu | 40' |
| N8 | 8 | Kieran Read |
| OF | 7 | Richie McCaw (c) |
| BF | 6 | Liam Messam |
| RL | 5 | Sam Whitelock |
| LL | 4 | Luke Romano | 50' |
| TP | 3 | Owen Franks | 70' |
| HK | 2 | Andrew Hore | 50' |
| LP | 1 | Tony Woodcock |
| Substitutes: ||
| HK | 16 | Keven Mealamu | 50' |
| PR | 17 | Charlie Faumuina | 70' |
| LK | 18 | Brodie Retallick | 50' |
| FL | 19 | Victor Vito |
| SH | 20 | Aaron Smith | 40' |
| FH | 21 | Beauden Barrett |
| CE | 22 | Tamati Ellison |
| Coach: ||
| Steve Hansen ||
| FB | 15 | Zane Kirchner | 75' |
| RW | 14 | Bryan Habana |
| OC | 13 | Jean de Villiers (c) |
| IC | 12 | François Steyn |
| LW | 11 | Francois Hougaard |
| FH | 10 | Morné Steyn | 59' |
| SH | 9 | Ruan Pienaar |
| N8 | 8 | Duane Vermeulen |
| OF | 7 | Willem Alberts | 61' |
| BF | 6 | Francois Louw |
| RL | 5 | Juandré Kruger | | | 53' |
| LL | 4 | Flip van der Merwe | 40' to 42' | 40' to 42' |
| TP | 3 | Jannie du Plessis |
| HK | 2 | Adriaan Strauss | 75' |
| LP | 1 | Tendai Mtawarira | 51' |
| Substitutes: ||
| HK | 16 | Tiaan Liebenberg | 75' |
| PR | 17 | Dean Greyling | 51' | 64' to 74' |
| LK | 18 | Andries Bekker | 40' | 42' | 53' |
| FL | 19 | Marcell Coetzee | 61' |
| FH | 20 | Johan Goosen | 59' |
| CE | 21 | Juan de Jongh |
| FH | 22 | Patrick Lambie | 75' |
| Coach: ||
| Heyneke Meyer ||
Man of the Match: Israel Dagg (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Romain Poite (France) James Leckie (Australia) Television match official: Vinny Munro (New Zealand)
* 15 September 2012 20:05 AEST (UTC+10)
| Australia | 23–19 | Argentina (1 BP) |
| Try: McCabe 60' c Ioane 69' c Con: Barnes (2/2) 60', 69' Pen: Barnes (2/4) 25', 49' Beale (1/1) 79' | Report | Try: Leonardi 50' m Cabello 52' m Pen: Hernández (3/4) 3', 29', 57' |
* Robina Stadium, Gold Coast Attendance: 22,278 Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
| Australia | Argentina |
| FB | 15 | Berrick Barnes | | 70' |
| RW | 14 | Dominic Shipperley | | 30' | 40' | 66' |
| OC | 13 | Adam Ashley-Cooper |
| IC | 12 | Pat McCabe | 12' to 22' |
| Lw | 11 | Digby Ioane |
| FH | 10 | Quade Cooper |
| SH | 9 | Nick Phipps | | 38' |
| N8 | 8 | Radike Samo | | 53' |
| OF | 7 | Michael Hooper |
| BF | 6 | Dave Dennis | | 75' |
| RL | 5 | Nathan Sharpe (c) |
| LL | 4 | Kane Douglas |
| TP | 3 | Ben Alexander |
| HK | 2 | Tatafu Polota-Nau |
| LP | 1 | Benn Robinson | | 30' |
| Substitutes: ||
| HK | 16 | Saia Fainga'a |
| PR | 17 | James Slipper | | 30' |
| FL | 18 | Scott Higginbotham | | 53' |
| FL | 19 | Liam Gill | | 75' |
| SH | 20 | Brett Sheehan |
| CE | 21 | Anthony Fainga'a | | 70' |
| FB | 22 | Kurtley Beale | | 30' | 40' | 66' |
| Coach: ||
| Robbie Deans ||
| FB | 15 | Lucas González Amorosino |
| RW | 14 | Gonzalo Camacho | 40' |
| OC | 13 | Marcelo Bosch |
| IC | 12 | Santiago Fernández |
| LW | 11 | Horacio Agulla |
| FH | 10 | Juan Martín Hernández |
| SH | 9 | Martín Landajo | 61' |
| N8 | 8 | Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe (c) |
| OF | 7 | Juan Manuel Leguizamón | 49' |
| BF | 6 | Julio Farías Cabello | 74' |
| RL | 5 | Patricio Albacete |
| LL | 4 | Manuel Carizza |
| TP | 3 | Juan Figallo | 40' | 74' |
| HK | 2 | Eusebio Guiñazú | 61' |
| LP | 1 | Rodrigo Roncero | 74' |
| Substitutes: ||
| HK | 16 | Agustín Creevy | 61' |
| PR | 17 | Juan Pablo Orlandi | 40' |
| N8 | 18 | Leonardo Senatore | | 74' |
| FL | 19 | Tomás Leonardi | 49' |
| SH | 20 | Nicolás Vergallo | 61' |
| FB | 21 | Martín Rodríguez |
| WG | 22 | Juan Imhoff | 40' |
| Coach: ||
| Santiago Phelan ||
Man of the Match: Digby Ioane (Australia)
Touch judges: Nigel Owens (Wales) Glen Jackson (New Zealand) Television match official: Matt Goddard (Australia)

### Round 5

* 29 September 2012 17:00 SAST (UTC+02)
| (1 BP) South Africa | 31–8 | Australia |
| Try: Kirchner 21' c Habana 28' c, 60' c, 78' m Louw 53' m Con: Pienaar (3/5) 22', 29', 61' | Report | Try: Harris 65' m Pen: Beale (1/2) 34' |
* Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria Attendance: 44,463 Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)
| South Africa | Australia |
| FB | 15 | Zane Kirchner | 55' |
| RW | 14 | Bryan Habana |
| OC | 13 | Jaco Taute | 75' |
| IC | 12 | Jean de Villiers (c) |
| LW | 11 | Francois Hougaard |
| FH | 10 | Johan Goosen | 75' |
| SH | 9 | Ruan Pienaar |
| N8 | 8 | Duane Vermeulen |
| OF | 7 | Willem Alberts | 58' |
| BF | 6 | Francois Louw |
| RL | 5 | Andries Bekker |
| LL | 4 | Eben Etzebeth | 58' |
| TP | 3 | Jannie du Plessis | 70' |
| HK | 2 | Adriaan Strauss | 75' |
| LP | 1 | Tendai Mtawarira |
| Substitutes: ||
| HK | 16 | Tiaan Liebenberg | 75' |
| PR | 17 | Pat Cilliers | 70' |
| LK | 18 | Flip van der Merwe | 58' |
| FL | 19 | Marcell Coetzee | 58' |
| FH | 20 | Elton Jantjies | 75' |
| CE | 21 | Juan de Jongh | 75' |
| FH | 22 | Patrick Lambie | 55' |
| Coach: ||
| Heyneke Meyer ||
| FB | 15 | Berrick Barnes | | | | 31' |
| RW | 14 | Dominic Shipperley |
| OC | 13 | Adam Ashley-Cooper | 38' |
| IC | 12 | Pat McCabe | 5' to 13' | 5' to 13' |
| LW | 11 | Digby Ioane | 19' to 23' | 19' to 23' | 62' |
| FH | 10 | Kurtley Beale |
| SH | 9 | Nick Phipps |
| N8 | 8 | Radike Samo | 55' |
| OF | 7 | Michael Hooper |
| BF | 6 | Dave Dennis |
| RL | 5 | Nathan Sharpe (c) |
| LL | 4 | Kane Douglas | 50' |
| TP | 3 | Ben Alexander | | 67' |
| HK | 2 | Tatafu Polota-Nau |
| LP | 1 | Benn Robinson | 30' | 67' |
| Substitutes: ||
| HK | 16 | Saia Fainga'a |
| PR | 17 | James Slipper | 30' | 52' to 62' |
| LK | 18 | Rob Simmons | 50' |
| FL | 19 | Liam Gill | 55' |
| SH | 20 | Brett Sheehan | | | 62' |
| FH | 21 | Mike Harris | 38' |
| CE | 22 | Anthony Fainga'a | 5' | 13' 19' | 23' | 31' |
| Coach: ||
| Robbie Deans ||
Man of the Match: Bryan Habana (South Africa)
Touch judges: Romain Poite (France) Greg Garner (England) Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
* 29 September 2012 20:10 AST (UTC−03)
| Argentina | 15–54 | New Zealand (1 BP) |
| Try: Landajo 7' m Camacho 47' c Con: Hernández (1/2) 47' Pen: Hernández (1/2) 26' | Report | Try: A. Smith 15' c Jane 22' c, 50' m, 79' c Savea 30' m, 38' c Nonu 58' c Con: Carter (3/5) 15', 23', 39' Cruden (2/2) 59', 80' Pen: Carter (2/3) 19', 28' Cruden (1/1) 65' |
* Estadio Ciudad de La Plata, La Plata Attendance: 53,000 Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
| Argentina | New Zealand |
| FB | 15 | Lucas González Amorosino | 66' |
| RW | 14 | Gonzalo Camacho |
| OC | 13 | Marcelo Bosch |
| IC | 12 | Santiago Fernández |
| LW | 11 | Horacio Agulla | 48' |
| FH | 10 | Juan Martín Hernández |
| SH | 9 | Martín Landajo |
| N8 | 8 | Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe (c) |
| OF | 7 | Juan Manuel Leguizamón | 52' |
| BF | 6 | Julio Farías Cabello |
| RL | 5 | Patricio Albacete |
| LL | 4 | Manuel Carizza | 57' |
| TP | 3 | Juan Figallo | 67' |
| HK | 2 | Eusebio Guiñazú | 58' |
| LP | 1 | Rodrigo Roncero |
| Substitutes: ||
| HK | 16 | Agustín Creevy | 58' |
| PR | 17 | Juan Pablo Orlandi | 67' |
| LK | 18 | Tomás Vallejos | 57' |
| FL | 19 | Tomás Leonardi | 52' |
| SH | 20 | Nicolás Vergallo | | 73' |
| FB | 21 | Martín Rodríguez | 66' | 73' |
| WG | 22 | Juan Imhoff | 48' |
| Coach: ||
| Santiago Phelan ||
| FB | 15 | Israel Dagg |
| RW | 14 | Cory Jane |
| OC | 13 | Conrad Smith | 54' |
| IC | 12 | Ma'a Nonu |
| LW | 11 | Julian Savea |
| FH | 10 | Dan Carter | 58' |
| SH | 9 | Aaron Smith | 57' |
| N8 | 8 | Kieran Read |
| OF | 7 | Richie McCaw (c) | 58' |
| BF | 6 | Liam Messam |
| RL | 5 | Sam Whitelock |
| LL | 4 | Luke Romano | 5' to 16' | 5' to 16' | 35' |
| TP | 3 | Owen Franks | 57' |
| HK | 2 | Andrew Hore | 48' |
| LP | 1 | Tony Woodcock |
| Substitutes: ||
| HK | 16 | Keven Mealamu | 48' |
| PR | 17 | Charlie Faumuina | 57' |
| LK | 18 | Brodie Retallick | 5' | 16' | 35' |
| FL | 19 | Sam Cane | 58' |
| SH | 20 | Piri Weepu | 57' |
| FH | 21 | Aaron Cruden | 58' |
| FB | 22 | Ben Smith | 54' |
| Coach: ||
| Steve Hansen ||
Man of the Match: Kieran Read (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Craig Joubert (South Africa) Pascal Gaüzère (France) Television match official: Francisco Pastrana (Argentina)

### Round 6

* 6 October 2012 17:00 SAST (UTC+02)
| South Africa | 16–32 | New Zealand (1 BP) |
| Try: Habana 12' c Con: Goosen (1/1) 13' Pen: Goosen (1/3) 20' Jantjies (2/4) 36', 39' | Report | Try: Whitelock 25' m A. Smith 33' c Nonu 41' c C. Smith 52' c Con: Carter (3/4) 33, 41, 53 Pen: Carter (1/2) 71' Drop: Carter (1/1) 63' |
* FNB Stadium, Johannesburg Attendance: 80,753 Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)
| South Africa | New Zealand |
| FB | 15 | Zane Kirchner | 64' |
| RW | 14 | Bryan Habana |
| OC | 13 | Jaco Taute | 76' |
| IC | 12 | Jean de Villiers (c) |
| LW | 11 | Francois Hougaard |
| FH | 10 | Johan Goosen | 34' |
| SH | 9 | Ruan Pienaar |
| N8 | 8 | Duane Vermeulen |
| OF | 7 | Willem Alberts | | | 59' |
| BF | 6 | Francois Louw | 36' to 42' | 36' to 42' |
| RL | 5 | Andries Bekker |
| LL | 4 | Eben Etzebeth | 59' |
| TP | 3 | Jannie du Plessis | 53' |
| HK | 2 | Adriaan Strauss | 72' |
| LP | 1 | Tendai Mtawarira |
| Substitutes: ||
| HK | 16 | Tiaan Liebenberg | 72' |
| PR | 17 | Coenie Oosthuizen | 53' |
| LK | 18 | Flip van der Merwe | 59' |
| FL | 19 | Marcell Coetzee | 36' | 42' | 59' |
| FH | 20 | Elton Jantjies | 34' |
| CE | 21 | Juan de Jongh | 76' |
| FH | 22 | Patrick Lambie | 64' |
| Coach: ||
| Heyneke Meyer ||
| FB | 15 | Israel Dagg |
| RW | 14 | Cory Jane |
| OC | 13 | Conrad Smith |
| IC | 12 | Ma'a Nonu | 62' |
| LW | 11 | Hosea Gear |
| FH | 10 | Dan Carter | 76' |
| SH | 9 | Aaron Smith | 65' |
| N8 | 8 | Kieran Read |
| OF | 7 | Richie McCaw (c) | | 69' to 72' | 69' to 72' |
| BF | 6 | Liam Messam | 65' | 69' | 72' |
| RL | 5 | Sam Whitelock |
| LL | 4 | Brodie Retallick | 58' |
| TP | 3 | Owen Franks | 62' |
| HK | 2 | Andrew Hore | 51' |
| LP | 1 | Tony Woodcock |
| Substitutes: ||
| HK | 16 | Keven Mealamu | 51' |
| PR | 17 | Ben Franks | 62' |
| LK | 18 | Luke Romano | 58' |
| FL | 19 | Adam Thomson | 65' |
| SH | 20 | Piri Weepu | 65' |
| FH | 21 | Aaron Cruden | 76' |
| CE | 22 | Tamati Ellison | 62' |
| Coach: ||
| Steve Hansen ||
Man of the Match: Kieran Read (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Romain Poite (France) Greg Garner (England) Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
* 6 October 2012 20:10 AST (UTC−03)
| (1 BP) Argentina | 19–25 | Australia |
| Try: Imhoff 76' c Con: Bosch (1/1) 76' Pen: Hernández (3/4) 10', 15', 28' Bosch (1/2) 61' | Report | Try: Ioane 63' c Con: Harris (1/1) 65' Pen: Harris (6/9) 2', 7', 13', 23', 26', 73' |
* Estadio Gigante de Arroyito, Rosario Attendance: 37,000 Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
| Argentina | Australia |
| FB | 15 | Lucas González Amorosino |
| RW | 14 | Gonzalo Camacho |
| OC | 13 | Marcelo Bosch |
| IC | 12 | Santiago Fernández | | 45' to 52' | 45' to 52' |
| LW | 11 | Horacio Agulla | | 66' |
| FH | 10 | Juan Martín Hernández | | 59' |
| SH | 9 | Martín Landajo |
| N8 | 8 | Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe (c) |
| OF | 7 | Juan Manuel Leguizamón | | 47' |
| BF | 6 | Julio Farías Cabello | | 73' |
| RL | 5 | Patricio Albacete | 24' to 34' |
| LL | 4 | Manuel Carizza |
| TP | 3 | Juan Figallo | | 69' |
| HK | 2 | Eusebio Guiñazú |
| LP | 1 | Rodrigo Roncero | | 73' |
| Substitutes: ||
| HK | 16 | Agustín Creevy | | 62' |
| PR | 17 | Juan Pablo Orlandi | | 69' |
| N8 | 18 | Leonardo Senatore | | 73' |
| FL | 19 | Tomás Leonardi | | 47' |
| SH | 20 | Nicolás Vergallo |
| FH | 21 | Nicolás Sánchez | | 45' | 52' | 59' |
| WG | 22 | Juan Imhoff | | 66' |
| Coach: ||
| Santiago Phelan ||
| FB | 15 | Mike Harris |
| RW | 14 | Nick Cummins |
| OC | 13 | Ben Tapuai |
| IC | 12 | Pat McCabe |
| LW | 11 | Digby Ioane |
| FH | 10 | Kurtley Beale |
| SH | 9 | George Gregan (c) | 73' |
| N8 | 8 | Radike Samo | 62' |
| OF | 7 | Michael Hooper |
| BF | 6 | Sitaleki Timani | 68' |
| RL | 5 | Nathan Sharpe |
| LL | 4 | Kane Douglas | 8' |
| TP | 3 | Ben Alexander |
| HK | 2 | Tatafu Polota-Nau |
| LP | 1 | James Slipper | 40' |
| Substitutes: ||
| HK | 16 | Saia Fainga'a |
| PR | 17 | Benn Robinson | 40' |
| FL | 18 | Dave Dennis | 62' |
| FL | 19 | Scott Higginbotham | 8' |
| FL | 20 | Liam Gill | 68' |
| SH | 21 | Brett Sheehan | 73' | 74' to 80' |
| WG | 22 | Sam Cordingley |
| Coach: ||
| Robbie Deans ||
Man of the Match: Michael Hooper (Australia)
Touch judges: Jaco Peyper (South Africa) Pascal Gaüzère (France) Television match official: Francisco Pastrana (Argentina)

## Warm up matches

On 4 August and 11 August, Argentina played two uncapped matches against a Stade Français team in Argentina.

## Squads
### Summary

| Nation | Match venues | Match venues | Match venues | Head coach | Captain |
| Nation | Name | City | Capacity | Head coach | Captain |
| Argentina | Estadio Ciudad de La Plata | La Plata | 53,000 | Santiago Phelan | Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe |
| Argentina | Estadio Gigante de Arroyito | Rosario | 41,654 | Santiago Phelan | Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe |
| Argentina | Estadio Malvinas Argentinas | Mendoza | 40,268 | Santiago Phelan | Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe |
| Australia | ANZ Stadium | Sydney | 84,000 | Robbie Deans | David Pocock Will Genia Nathan Sharpe |
| Australia | Patersons Stadium | Perth | 43,500 | Robbie Deans | David Pocock Will Genia Nathan Sharpe |
| Australia | Skilled Park | Gold Coast | 27,400 | Robbie Deans | David Pocock Will Genia Nathan Sharpe |
| New Zealand | Eden Park | Auckland | 50,000 | Steve Hansen | Richie McCaw |
| New Zealand | Westpac Stadium | Wellington | 36,000 | Steve Hansen | Richie McCaw |
| New Zealand | Forsyth Barr Stadium | Dunedin | 30,748 | Steve Hansen | Richie McCaw |
| South Africa | FNB Stadium | Johannesburg | 94,736 | Heyneke Meyer | Jean de Villiers |
| South Africa | Newlands Stadium | Cape Town | 51,900 | Heyneke Meyer | Jean de Villiers |
| South Africa | Loftus Versfeld | Pretoria | 51,762 | Heyneke Meyer | Jean de Villiers |
* ↑ An injury sustained by original captain David Pocock meant he was ruled out of the championship after round 1. This thus made scrum-half Will Genia captain from round 2 onwards. However, an injury to his leg in round 3 meant he was unable to continue to play in the championship. Nathan Sharpe was named captain for the remaining round of the tournament.
Note: Ages are as of 18 August 2012 – the starting date of the tournament.

### Argentina

Head coach: Santiago Phelan
Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.
| Player | Position | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Club/province |
| Agustín Creevy | Hooker | (1985-03-15)15 March 1985 (aged 27) | 16 | Montpellier |
| Eusebio Guiñazú | Hooker | (1982-01-15)15 January 1982 (aged 30) | 18 | Biarritz |
| Bruno Postiglioni | Hooker | (1987-08-04)4 August 1987 (aged 25) | 6 | La Plata |
| Marcos Ayerza | Prop | (1983-01-12)12 January 1983 (aged 29) | 34 | Leicester Tigers |
| Maximiliano Bustos | Prop | (1986-04-02)2 April 1986 (aged 26) | 0 | Montpellier |
| Juan Figallo | Prop | (1988-03-25)25 March 1988 (aged 24) | 9 | Montpellier |
| Juan Pablo Orlandi | Prop | (1983-06-20)20 June 1983 (aged 29) | 9 | Racing Métro |
| Rodrigo Roncero | Prop | (1977-02-16)16 February 1977 (aged 35) | 49 | Stade Français |
| Patricio Albacete | Lock | (1981-09-02)2 September 1981 (aged 30) | 46 | Toulouse |
| Julio Farías Cabello | Lock | (1978-09-09)9 September 1978 (aged 33) | 10 | Tucumán |
| Manuel Carizza | Lock | (1984-08-23)23 August 1984 (aged 27) | 23 | Biarritz |
| Tomás Vallejos | Lock | (1984-10-16)16 October 1984 (aged 27) | 1 | Scarlets |
| Tomás de la Vega | Flanker | (1990-09-28)28 September 1990 (aged 21) | 5 | C.U.B.A. |
| Álvaro Galindo | Flanker | (1982-02-26)26 February 1982 (aged 30) | 11 | Racing Métro |
| Juan Manuel Leguizamón | Flanker | (1983-06-06)6 June 1983 (aged 29) | 34 | Lyon |
| Tomás Leonardi | Flanker | (1987-07-01)1 July 1987 (aged 25) | 7 | S.I.C. |
| Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe (c) | Number 8 | (1981-09-19)19 September 1981 (aged 30) | 43 | Toulon |
| Leonardo Senatore | Number 8 | (1984-05-13)13 May 1984 (aged 28) | 9 | Toulon |
| Tomás Cubelli | Scrum-half | (1989-06-12)12 June 1989 (aged 23) | 10 | Belgrano Athletic |
| Agustín Figuerola | Scrum-half | (1985-01-27)27 January 1985 (aged 27) | 7 | Brive |
| Nicolás Vergallo | Scrum-half | (1983-08-20)20 August 1983 (aged 28) | 24 | Toulouse |
| Santiago Fernández | Fly-half | (1985-11-28)28 November 1985 (aged 26) | 18 | Montpellier |
| Juan Martín Hernández | Fly-half | (1982-08-07)7 August 1982 (aged 30) | 32 | Racing Métro |
| Martín Landajo | Fly-half | (1986-06-14)14 June 1986 (aged 26) | 6 | C.A.S.I. |
| Marcelo Bosch | Centre | (1984-01-07)7 January 1984 (aged 28) | 10 | Biarritz |
| Rafael Carballo | Centre | (1981-10-16)16 October 1981 (aged 30) | 9 | Bordeaux |
| Martín Rodríguez | Centre | (1985-04-27)27 April 1985 (aged 27) | 15 | Stade Français |
| Nicolás Sánchez | Centre | (1988-10-26)26 October 1988 (aged 23) | 3 | Bordeaux |
| Horacio Agulla | Wing | (1984-10-22)22 October 1984 (aged 27) | 34 | Bath |
| Gonzalo Camacho | Wing | (1984-08-28)28 August 1984 (aged 27) | 11 | Exeter |
| Juan Imhoff | Wing | (1988-05-11)11 May 1988 (aged 24) | 8 | Racing Métro |
| Manuel Montero | Wing | (1991-11-20)20 November 1991 (aged 20) | 6 | Pucará |
| Martín Bustos Moyano | Fullback | (1985-07-12)12 July 1985 (aged 27) | 1 | Montpellier |
| Lucas González Amorosino | Fullback | (1985-02-11)11 February 1985 (aged 27) | 14 | Montpellier |

### Australia

Head coach': Robbie Deans
Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.
| Player | Position | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Club/province |
| Saia Fainga'a | Hooker | (1987-02-02)2 February 1987 (aged 25) | 7 | Reds |
| Stephen Moore | Hooker | (1983-01-20)20 January 1983 (aged 29) | 70 | Brumbies |
| Tatafu Polota-Nau | Hooker | (1985-07-26)26 July 1985 (aged 27) | 35 | Waratahs |
| Ben Alexander | Prop | (1984-11-13)13 November 1984 (aged 27) | 40 | Brumbies |
| Sekope Kepu | Prop | (1985-02-05)5 February 1985 (aged 27) | 17 | Waratahs |
| Benn Robinson | Prop | (1984-07-19)19 July 1984 (aged 28) | 45 | Waratahs |
| James Slipper | Prop | (1989-06-06)6 June 1989 (aged 23) | 23 | Reds |
| Kane Douglas | Lock | (1989-06-01)1 June 1989 (aged 23) | 0 | Waratahs |
| Nathan Sharpe | Lock | (1978-02-26)26 February 1978 (aged 34) | 105 | Western Force |
| Rob Simmons | Lock | (1989-04-19)19 April 1989 (aged 23) | 20 | Reds |
| Sitaleki Timani | Lock | (1987-09-19)19 September 1987 (aged 24) | 3 | Waratahs |
| Dave Dennis | Flanker | (1986-01-20)20 January 1986 (aged 26) | 4 | Waratahs |
| Liam Gill | Flanker | (1992-06-08)8 June 1992 (aged 20) | 0 | Reds |
| Michael Hooper | Flanker | (1991-10-29)29 October 1991 (aged 20) | 3 | Brumbies |
| David Pocock (c) | Flanker | (1988-04-23)23 April 1988 (aged 24) | 44 | Western Force |
| Jake Schatz | Flanker | (1990-07-23)23 July 1990 (aged 22) | 0 | Reds |
| Scott Higginbotham | Number 8 | (1986-09-05)5 September 1986 (aged 25) | 15 | Reds |
| Radike Samo | Number 8 | (1976-07-09)9 July 1976 (aged 36) | 16 | Reds |
| Will Genia | Scrum-half | (1988-01-17)17 January 1988 (aged 24) | 38 | Reds |
| Nick Phipps | Scrum-half | (1989-01-09)9 January 1989 (aged 23) | 3 | Melbourne Rebels |
| Nic White | Scrum-half | (1990-06-13)13 June 1990 (aged 22) | 0 | Brumbies |
| Berrick Barnes | Fly-half | (1986-05-28)28 May 1986 (aged 26) | 41 | Waratahs |
| Quade Cooper | Fly-half | (1988-04-05)5 April 1988 (aged 24) | 35 | Reds |
| Anthony Fainga'a | Centre | (1987-02-02)2 February 1987 (aged 25) | 18 | Reds |
| Mike Harris | Centre | (1988-07-08)8 July 1988 (aged 24) | 2 | Reds |
| Rob Horne | Centre | (1989-08-15)15 August 1989 (aged 23) | 12 | Waratahs |
| Adam Ashley-Cooper | Wing | (1984-03-27)27 March 1984 (aged 28) | 64 | Waratahs |
| Digby Ioane | Wing | (1985-07-14)14 July 1985 (aged 27) | 25 | Reds |
| Drew Mitchell | Wing | (1984-03-26)26 March 1984 (aged 28) | 58 | Waratahs |
| Kurtley Beale | Fullback | (1989-01-06)6 January 1989 (aged 23) | 24 | Melbourne Rebels |

### New Zealand

* Head coach: Steve Hansen
* Caps Updated 24/06/2012
Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.
| Player | Position | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Club/province |
| Andrew Hore | Hooker | (1978-09-13)13 September 1978 (aged 33) | 65 | Highlanders |
| Keven Mealamu | Hooker | (1979-03-20)20 March 1979 (aged 33) | 93 | Blues |
| Wyatt Crockett | Prop | (1983-01-24)24 January 1983 (aged 29) | 6 | Crusaders |
| Charlie Faumuina | Prop | (1986-12-24)24 December 1986 (aged 25) | 0 | Blues |
| Ben Franks | Prop | (1984-03-27)27 March 1984 (aged 28) | 18 | Crusaders |
| Owen Franks | Prop | (1987-12-23)23 December 1987 (aged 24) | 34 | Crusaders |
| Tony Woodcock | Prop | (1981-01-27)27 January 1981 (aged 31) | 86 | Blues |
| Brodie Retallick | Lock | (1991-05-31)31 May 1991 (aged 21) | 3 | Chiefs |
| Luke Romano | Lock | (1986-02-16)16 February 1986 (aged 26) | 1 | Crusaders |
| Sam Whitelock | Lock | (1988-10-12)12 October 1988 (aged 23) | 28 | Crusaders |
| Sam Cane | Flanker | (1992-01-13)13 January 1992 (aged 20) | 2 | Chiefs |
| Richie McCaw (c) | Flanker | (1980-12-31)31 December 1980 (aged 31) | 106 | Crusaders |
| Liam Messam | Flanker | (1984-03-25)25 March 1984 (aged 28) | 10 | Chiefs |
| Adam Thomson | Flanker | (1982-03-13)13 March 1982 (aged 30) | 27 | Highlanders |
| Kieran Read | Number 8 | (1985-10-26)26 October 1985 (aged 26) | 38 | Crusaders |
| Victor Vito | Number 8 | (1987-03-27)27 March 1987 (aged 25) | 14 | Hurricanes |
| Aaron Smith | Scrum-half | (1988-11-21)21 November 1988 (aged 23) | 3 | Highlanders |
| Piri Weepu | Scrum-half | (1983-09-07)7 September 1983 (aged 28) | 59 | Blues |
| Dan Carter | Fly-half | (1982-03-05)5 March 1982 (aged 30) | 87 | Crusaders |
| Aaron Cruden | Fly-half | (1989-01-08)8 January 1989 (aged 23) | 11 | Chiefs |
| Tamati Ellison | Centre | (1983-04-01)1 April 1983 (aged 29) | 2 | Highlanders |
| Ma'a Nonu | Centre | (1982-05-21)21 May 1982 (aged 30) | 66 | Blues |
| Conrad Smith | Centre | (1981-10-12)12 October 1981 (aged 30) | 58 | Hurricanes |
| Sonny Bill Williams | Centre | (1985-08-03)3 August 1985 (aged 27) | 17 | Chiefs |
| Hosea Gear | Wing | (1984-03-16)16 March 1984 (aged 28) | 9 | Highlanders |
| Cory Jane | Wing | (1983-02-08)8 February 1983 (aged 29) | 32 | Hurricanes |
| Julian Savea | Wing | (1990-08-07)7 August 1990 (aged 22) | 2 | Hurricanes |
| Israel Dagg | Fullback | (1988-06-06)6 June 1988 (aged 24) | 15 | Crusaders |
| Ben Smith | Fullback | (1986-06-01)1 June 1986 (aged 26) | 5 | Highlanders |

### South Africa

Head Coach:' Heyneke Meyer
Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.
| Player | Position | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Club/province |
| Craig Burden | Hooker | (1985-05-13)13 May 1985 (aged 27) | 0 | Sharks |
| Tiaan Liebenberg | Hooker | (1981-12-18)18 December 1981 (aged 30) | 1 | Stormers |
| Adriaan Strauss | Hooker | (1985-11-18)18 November 1985 (aged 26) | 14 | Cheetahs |
| Pat Cilliers | Prop | (1987-03-03)3 March 1987 (aged 25) | 2 | Lions |
| Jannie du Plessis | Prop | (1982-11-16)16 November 1982 (aged 29) | 35 | Sharks |
| Dean Greyling | Prop | (1986-01-01)1 January 1986 (aged 26) | 2 | Bulls |
| Tendai Mtawarira | Prop | (1985-08-01)1 August 1985 (aged 27) | 37 | Sharks |
| Andries Bekker | Lock | (1983-12-05)5 December 1983 (aged 28) | 26 | Stormers |
| Eben Etzebeth | Lock | (1991-10-29)29 October 1991 (aged 20) | 5 | Stormers |
| Juandré Kruger | Lock | (1985-09-06)6 September 1985 (aged 26) | 3 | Bulls |
| Flip van der Merwe | Lock | (1985-06-03)3 June 1985 (aged 27) | 15 | Bulls |
| Marcell Coetzee | Flanker | (1991-05-08)8 May 1991 (aged 21) | 5 | Sharks |
| Francois Louw | Flanker | (1985-06-15)15 June 1985 (aged 27) | 10 | Bath |
| Jacques Potgieter | Flanker | (1986-04-24)24 April 1986 (aged 26) | 3 | Bulls |
| Willem Alberts | Number 8 | (1984-05-11)11 May 1984 (aged 28) | 11 | Sharks |
| Duane Vermeulen | Number 8 | (1986-07-03)3 July 1986 (aged 26) | 0 | Stormers |
| Francois Hougaard | Scrum-half | (1988-04-06)6 April 1988 (aged 24) | 20 | Bulls |
| Ruan Pienaar | Scrum-half | (1984-03-10)10 March 1984 (aged 28) | 56 | Ulster |
| Jano Vermaak | Scrum-half | (1985-01-01)1 January 1985 (aged 27) | 0 | Bulls |
| Johan Goosen | Fly-half | (1992-07-27)27 July 1992 (aged 20) | 0 | Cheetahs |
| Morné Steyn | Fly-half | (1984-07-11)11 July 1984 (aged 28) | 39 | Bulls |
| Juan de Jongh | Centre | (1988-04-15)15 April 1988 (aged 24) | 10 | Stormers |
| Jean de Villiers (c) | Centre | (1981-02-24)24 February 1981 (aged 31) | 77 | Stormers |
| François Steyn | Centre | (1987-05-14)14 May 1987 (aged 25) | 49 | Sharks |
| Bryan Habana | Wing | (1983-06-12)12 June 1983 (aged 29) | 79 | Stormers |
| Lwazi Mvovo | Wing | (1986-06-03)3 June 1986 (aged 26) | 6 | Sharks |
| Zane Kirchner | Fullback | (1984-06-16)16 June 1984 (aged 28) | 17 | Bulls |
| Patrick Lambie | Fullback | (1990-10-17)17 October 1990 (aged 21) | 13 | Sharks |