# 2014 Rugby Championship

The 2014 Rugby Championship was the third edition of the expanded annual southern hemisphere Rugby Championship consisting of Argentina, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. The tournament was won by New Zealand, with South Africa second, Australia third, and Argentina last.
The Championship began on 16 August with Australia hosting the defending champions, New Zealand, at the Stadium Australia in Sydney and South Africa hosting Argentina at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria. The tournament continued for seven weeks, which included two byes, and concluded on 5 October with South Africa versus New Zealand at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg and Argentina versus Australia at Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza.
On 27 September, New Zealand clinched their third consecutive Championship after a bonus-point 34–13 win against Argentina in La Plata. The 2014 Rugby Championship was the first in which New Zealand failed to win all their matches – they drew with Australia in Week 1 and lost to South Africa in Week 6. It also saw the first Championship-match win for Argentina who defeated Australia 21–17 in the last match of the tournament.

## Format and standings

The format for the 2014 tournament was the same as that for the 2012 and 2013 editions. Each side played the other once at home, and once away; giving a total of six matches each, and twelve in total. A win earns a team four points, a draw two points, and a loss no points. A bonus point can be earned one of two ways: by scoring four tries or more in a match, or by losing within seven points. The competition winner is the side with the most points at the end of the tournament, however if two sides finish equal on points the side with the most wins is placed higher.
Tournament 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 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 164 | 91 | +73 | 3 | 1 | 22 |
| 2 | South Africa | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 134 | 110 | +24 | 1 | 2 | 19 |
| 3 | Australia | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 115 | 160 | −45 | 0 | 1 | 11 |
| 4 | Argentina | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 105 | 157 | −52 | 0 | 3 | 7 |

## Summary

The first match of the championship was between New Zealand (also known as the All Blacks) and Australia (the Wallabies) in Sydney, Australia. The fixture doubled as a Bledisloe Cup match, and ended as a 12–12 draw. The All Blacks started stronger, and led 9–3 at half time, but Australia were much better in the second half. New Zealand had two players temporarily sent-off after being awarded yellow cards, but Australia were unable to capitalize on that advantage during their late dominance. All points were scored from penalties – four from each side. The draw ended a 17-match winning streak by the All Blacks. The following week both side met in their second Bledisloe Cup match of the Championship (the third is played following the tournament), but this time at Eden Park in New Zealand. The match was comfortably won by New Zealand 51–20, whose scored six tries to Australia's two. The All Blacks were regarded as the more physical of the two teams, and scored two tries from mauls. The win meant that New Zealand retained the Bledisloe Cup (Australia needed to win the three-match series to regain the cup).
The second match of the tournament was between South Africa (the Springboks) and Argentina (the Pumas) and played at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa. South Africa won 13–6 and scored the only try of the match, which was played in wet and raining conditions. The following week the two teams met again, this time at Estadio Padre Ernesto Martearena in Salta, Argentina. The Springboks won again, but were considered lucky to get the 31–33 victory. At one stage Argentina were winning by 12 points, and were leading with five minutes remaining, but Springbok Morné Steyn kicked a penalty in the 76th minute to give South Africa the lead and the win.
In weeks three and four, Argentina and South Africa both travelled to Australasia for two away matches. Argentina played the All Blacks in Napier where they lost 28–9, before facing Australia on the Gold Coast where they lost 32–25. The Pumas loss to the All Blacks was played in wet conditions, with New Zealand scoring four tries, and Argentina three penalties. Argentina's loss to Australia was much closer than their defeat in New Zealand. Despite leading by 16 points after 60 minutes, Australia conceded twelve points in the final quarter. Argentina trailed by seven points, the value of a converted try, when they had a scrum deep within Wallabies' territory, but Australia were awarded a free-kick after the Pumas' scrum-half fed the ball too early and the game ended. In the third week the Springboks played Australia in Perth, where the Wallabies won 24–23. The Wallbies had trailed 23–14, but scored ten unanswered points after Springbok wing Bryan Habana, who was playing in his 100th test match, was yellow carded for a high tackle. The following week South Africa played the All Blacks in Wellington. The match was won 14–10 by New Zealand, but only after they resisted repeated South African attacks on their try-line late in the game. The win was the 36th consecutive victory for the All Blacks in New Zealand – a record stretching back to 2009.
The last two weekends of matches were played in South Africa and Argentina. First up the Wallabies faced the Springboks in Cape Town, where South Africa won 28–10. The victory came after a ten-minute period at the end of the match where the Springboks scored three-tries. The same weekend Argentina faced the All Blacks in La Plata. For the New Zealanders the match was overshadowed by the omission of Aaron Cruden, who had missed the flight to Argentina, and was subsequently dropped from the squad for the last two weeks of the Championship. The All Blacks won 34–13, and with the bonus-point win took an unassailable lead in the Championship – giving them their third Rugby Championship, and 13th overall since the inception of the Tri-Nations Championship in 1996.
Despite New Zealand having secured the Championship title a week earlier, the final week of matches proved historic. The first match was the Springboks hosting the All Blacks at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg. All Blacks' captain Richie McCaw played his 134th match for the side, surpassing the national record held by Colin Meads. However the New Zealanders 22-match unbeaten run (going back to December 2012) was ended after a 55 metres (180 ft) penalty kicked by South African Patrick Lambie in the 78th minute gave his side a 27–25 win. The last match of the tournament was between Argentina and Australia at Mendoza. The test was won 21–17 by the Pumas – their first win in the Rugby Championship since joining the competition in 2012. Australia led 14–0 within the first 15 minutes after scoring two early tries, however Argentina slowly accumulated points to overhaul their opponents.

## Sponsorship

The 2014 Rugby Championship was also known, for sponsorship reasons, as The Castle Lager 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.

## Fixtures
### Week 1

* 16 August 2014 20:05 AEST (UTC+10)
| Australia | 12–12 | New Zealand |
| Pen: Beale (4/5) 11', 44', 55', 69' | Report | Pen: Cruden (4/5) 3', 6', 21', 59' |
* Stadium Australia, Sydney Attendance: 68,627 Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
| FB | 15 | Israel Folau |
| RW | 14 | Pat McCabe |
| OC | 13 | Adam Ashley-Cooper |
| IC | 12 | Matt To'omua |
| LW | 11 | Rob Horne |
| FH | 10 | Kurtley Beale | 70' |
| SH | 9 | Nic White | 66' |
| N8 | 8 | Wycliff Palu | 70' |
| OF | 7 | Michael Hooper (c) |
| BF | 6 | Scott Fardy | 66' |
| RL | 5 | Rob Simmons |
| LL | 4 | Sam Carter |
| TP | 3 | Sekope Kepu | 78' |
| HK | 2 | Nathan Charles |
| LP | 1 | James Slipper | 70' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | James Hanson |
| PR | 17 | Pekahou Cowan | 70' |
| PR | 18 | Ben Alexander | 78' |
| LK | 19 | Will Skelton | 70' |
| N8 | 20 | Scott Higginbotham | 66' |
| SH | 21 | Nick Phipps | 66' |
| FH | 22 | Bernard Foley | 70' |
| CE | 23 | Tevita Kuridrani |
| Coach: ||
| Ewen McKenzie ||
| FB | 15 | Ben Smith |
| RW | 14 | Cory Jane |
| OC | 13 | Malakai Fekitoa |
| IC | 12 | Ma'a Nonu | | 57' |
| LW | 11 | Julian Savea |
| FH | 10 | Aaron Cruden | | 63' |
| SH | 9 | Aaron Smith |
| N8 | 8 | Kieran Read |
| OF | 7 | Richie McCaw (c) |
| BF | 6 | Jerome Kaino | | 38' | 48' | 69' |
| RL | 5 | Sam Whitelock |
| LL | 4 | Brodie Retallick |
| TP | 3 | Owen Franks | | 70' |
| HK | 2 | Dane Coles | | 52' |
| LP | 1 | Wyatt Crockett | 38' to 48' | | 48' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Keven Mealamu | | 52' |
| PR | 17 | Ben Franks | | 38' |
| PR | 18 | Joe Moody | | 70' |
| FL | 19 | Steve Luatua |
| FL | 20 | Sam Cane | | | | 69' |
| SH | 21 | TJ Perenara |
| FH | 22 | Beauden Barrett | 69' to 79' | 63' |
| CE | 23 | Ryan Crotty | | 57' |
| Coach: ||
| Steve Hansen ||
* Man of the Match:
* James Slipper (Australia)
* Touch judges:
* Romain Poite (France)
* Stuart Berry (South Africa)
* Television match official:
* Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
Notes:
* Conrad Smith was named in the starting XV, but was withdrawn from the team on 15 August to attend the birth of his first child.
* Joe Moody made his international debut for New Zealand.
* The draw ended New Zealand's 17-match winning streak, preventing them from taking sole charge of the record for longest winning streak by a Tier 1 nation.
* 16 August 2014 17:05 SAST (UTC+02)
| South Africa | 13–6 | Argentina (1 BP) |
| Try: Pienaar 1' c Con: Pollard (1/1) 2' Pen: Pollard (1/1) 16' Steyn (1/1) 50' | Report | Pen: Sánchez (2/2) 7', 42' |
* Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria Attendance: 30,453 Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)
| FB | 15 | Willie le Roux |
| RW | 14 | Cornal Hendricks |
| OC | 13 | Damian de Allende |
| IC | 12 | Jean de Villiers (c) |
| LW | 11 | Bryan Habana |
| FH | 10 | Handré Pollard | 45' |
| SH | 9 | Ruan Pienaar |
| N8 | 8 | Duane Vermeulen |
| OF | 7 | Marcell Coetzee |
| BF | 6 | Francois Louw |
| RL | 5 | Lood de Jager |
| LL | 4 | Bakkies Botha | 40' |
| TP | 3 | Jannie du Plessis | 66' |
| HK | 2 | Bismarck du Plessis | 55' |
| LP | 1 | Tendai Mtawarira |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Adriaan Strauss | 55' |
| PR | 17 | Trevor Nyakane |
| PR | 18 | Frans Malherbe | 66' |
| LK | 19 | Eben Etzebeth | 40' |
| FL | 20 | Oupa Mohojé |
| SH | 21 | Francois Hougaard |
| FH | 22 | Morné Steyn | 45' |
| CE | 23 | Jan Serfontein |
| Coach: ||
| Heyneke Meyer ||
| FB | 15 | Joaquín Tuculet |
| RW | 14 | Horacio Agulla | 60' |
| OC | 13 | Marcelo Bosch |
| IC | 12 | Santiago González Iglesias |
| LW | 11 | Manuel Montero |
| FH | 10 | Nicolás Sánchez | 64' |
| SH | 9 | Martín Landajo | 40' |
| N8 | 8 | Juan Manuel Leguizamón |
| OF | 7 | Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe |
| BF | 6 | Pablo Matera | 57' |
| RL | 5 | Tomás Lavanini | 75' |
| LL | 4 | Mariano Galarza |
| TP | 3 | Ramiro Herrera | 60' |
| HK | 2 | Agustín Creevy (c) |
| LP | 1 | Marcos Ayerza |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Matías Cortese |
| PR | 17 | Lucas Noguera Paz |
| PR | 18 | Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro | 60' |
| LK | 19 | Matías Alemanno | 75' |
| N8 | 20 | Leonardo Senatore | 57' |
| SH | 21 | Tomás Cubelli | 40' |
| CE | 22 | Jerónimo de la Fuente | 64' |
| WG | 23 | Lucas González Amorosino | 60' |
| Coach: ||
| Daniel Hourcade ||
* Man of the Match:
* Francois Louw (South Africa)
* Touch judges:
* Steve Walsh (Australia)
* Marius Mitrea (Italy)
* Television match official:
* Simon McDowell (Ireland)
Notes:
* Willem Alberts and Juan Martín Hernández were both named in their respective starting XV, but were withdrawn from their teams hours before kick off due injuries.
* Damian de Allende made his international debut for South Africa.

### Week 2

* 23 August 2014 19:35 NZST (UTC+12)
| (1 BP) New Zealand | 51–20 | Australia |
| Try: Penalty try 27' c Savea 30' c Read 49' c McCaw (2) 53' c, 59' c Luatua 80' c Con: Cruden (5/5) 28', 31', 50', 55', 59' A. Smith (1/1) 81' Pen: Cruden (3/4) 5', 7', 17' | Report | Try: Folau 61' c Hooper 64' c Con: Beale (2/2) 62', 65' Pen: Beale (2/2) 1', 13' |
* Eden Park, Auckland Attendance: 48,211 Referee: Romain Poite (France)
| FB | 15 | Ben Smith |
| RW | 14 | Cory Jane | | 45' |
| OC | 13 | Conrad Smith |
| IC | 12 | Ryan Crotty | | 40' |
| LW | 11 | Julian Savea |
| FH | 10 | Aaron Cruden | | 75' |
| SH | 9 | Aaron Smith |
| N8 | 8 | Kieran Read |
| OF | 7 | Richie McCaw (c) | 12' to 22' |
| BF | 6 | Liam Messam | | 62' |
| RL | 5 | Sam Whitelock |
| LL | 4 | Brodie Retallick | | 71' |
| TP | 3 | Owen Franks | | 60' |
| HK | 2 | Dane Coles | | 65' |
| LP | 1 | Wyatt Crockett | | 60' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Keven Mealamu | | 65' |
| PR | 17 | Ben Franks | 76' to 80' | 60' |
| PR | 18 | Charlie Faumuina | | 60' |
| FL | 19 | Steve Luatua | | 62' |
| FL | 20 | Sam Cane | | 71' |
| SH | 21 | TJ Perenara | | 75' |
| FH | 22 | Beauden Barrett | | 45' |
| CE | 23 | Malakai Fekitoa | | 40' |
| Coach: ||
| Steve Hansen ||
| FB | 15 | Israel Folau |
| RW | 14 | Pat McCabe | | 62' |
| OC | 13 | Adam Ashley-Cooper |
| IC | 12 | Matt To'omua | | 55' |
| LW | 11 | Rob Horne |
| FH | 10 | Kurtley Beale |
| SH | 9 | Nic White | | 51' |
| N8 | 8 | Wycliff Palu | | 55' |
| OF | 7 | Michael Hooper (c) |
| BF | 6 | Scott Fardy | | 64' |
| RL | 5 | Rob Simmons | 22' to 32' |
| LL | 4 | Sam Carter |
| TP | 3 | Sekope Kepu | | 64' |
| HK | 2 | Nathan Charles | | 31' |
| LP | 1 | James Slipper |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | James Hanson | | 31' |
| PR | 17 | Pekahou Cowan |
| PR | 18 | Ben Alexander | | 64' |
| LK | 19 | Will Skelton | | 64' |
| N8 | 20 | Scott Higginbotham | | 55' |
| SH | 21 | Nick Phipps | | 51' |
| FH | 22 | Bernard Foley | | 55' |
| CE | 23 | Tevita Kuridrani | | 62' |
| Coach: ||
| Ewen McKenzie ||
* Man of the Match:
* Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)
* Touch judges:
* Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
* Stuart Berry (South Africa)
* Television match official:
* Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
Notes:
* Cory Jane earned his 50th test cap for New Zealand.
* New Zealand retain the Bledisloe Cup.
* 23 August 2014 16:40 AST (UTC-03)
| (1 BP) Argentina | 31–33 | South Africa |
| Try: Montero 25' c Cubelli 46' c Tuculet 50' m Con: Sánchez (2/3) 26', 46' Pen: Sánchez (2/4) 3', 55 Bosch (1/1) 73' Drop: Hernández (1/1) 12' | Report | Try: Habana 31' c Hendricks 59' c Coetzee 68' c Con: Pollard (1/1) 32' Steyn (2/2) 59', 69' Pen: Pollard (3/3) 10', 22', 29' Steyn (1/1) 76' |
* Estadio Padre Ernesto Martearena, Salta Attendance: 17,000 Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)
| FB | 15 | Joaquín Tuculet |
| RW | 14 | Lucas González Amorosino |
| OC | 13 | Marcelo Bosch |
| IC | 12 | Juan Martín Hernández |
| LW | 11 | Manuel Montero | 77' |
| FH | 10 | Nicolás Sánchez | 77' |
| SH | 9 | Martín Landajo | 33' |
| N8 | 8 | Juan Manuel Leguizamón |
| OF | 7 | Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe |
| BF | 6 | Pablo Matera | 35' |
| RL | 5 | Tomás Lavanini | 69' |
| LL | 4 | Mariano Galarza |
| TP | 3 | Ramiro Herrera | 67' |
| HK | 2 | Agustín Creevy (c) | 80' |
| LP | 1 | Marcos Ayerza | 77' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Matías Cortese | 80' |
| PR | 17 | Bruno Postiglioni | 77' |
| PR | 18 | Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro | 67' |
| LK | 19 | Matías Alemanno | 69' |
| N8 | 20 | Leonardo Senatore | 35' |
| SH | 21 | Tomás Cubelli | 33' |
| CE | 22 | Jerónimo de la Fuente | 77' |
| WG | 23 | Horacio Agulla | 77' |
| Coach: ||
| Daniel Hourcade ||
| FB | 15 | Willie le Roux |
| RW | 14 | Cornal Hendricks |
| OC | 13 | Damian de Allende |
| IC | 12 | Jean de Villiers (c) |
| LW | 11 | Bryan Habana |
| FH | 10 | Handré Pollard | 55' |
| SH | 9 | Ruan Pienaar | 59' |
| N8 | 8 | Duane Vermeulen |
| OF | 7 | Juan Smith | 51' |
| BF | 6 | Francois Louw |
| RL | 5 | Lood de Jager |
| LL | 4 | Eben Etzebeth | 69' |
| TP | 3 | Jannie du Plessis | 45' | 78' |
| HK | 2 | Bismarck du Plessis | 51' |
| LP | 1 | Gurthrö Steenkamp | 45' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Adriaan Strauss | 51' |
| PR | 17 | Tendai Mtawarira | 45' |
| PR | 18 | Frans Malherbe | 45' | 78' |
| LK | 19 | Bakkies Botha | 69' |
| FL | 20 | Marcell Coetzee | 51' |
| SH | 21 | Francois Hougaard | 59' |
| FH | 22 | Morné Steyn | 55' |
| WG | 23 | Lwazi Mvovo |
| Coach: ||
| Heyneke Meyer ||
* Man of the Match:
* Nicolás Sánchez (Argentina)
* Touch judges:
* John Lacey (Ireland)
* Marius Mitrea (Italy)
* Television match official:
* Vinny Munro (New Zealand)
Notes:
* Marcos Ayerza earned his 50th test cap for Argentina.
* This loss was Argentina's seventh consecutive loss at home, the most consecutive losses at home.

### Week 3

* 6 September 2014 19:35 NZST (UTC+12)
| (1 BP) New Zealand | 28–9 | Argentina |
| Try: Savea (2) 26' m, 43' m Messam 40' m A. Smith 72' c Con: Slade (1/1) 73' Pen: Barrett (1/2) 15' Slade (1/2) 64' | Report | Pen: Sánchez (3/3) 18', 32', 62' |
* McLean Park, Napier Attendance: 21,329 Referee: Pascal Gaüzère (France)
| FB | 15 | Israel Dagg |
| RW | 14 | Ben Smith |
| OC | 13 | Conrad Smith |
| IC | 12 | Ma'a Nonu |
| LW | 11 | Julian Savea |
| FH | 10 | Beauden Barrett | 55' |
| SH | 9 | Aaron Smith | 73' |
| N8 | 8 | Kieran Read |
| OF | 7 | Richie McCaw (c) |
| BF | 6 | Liam Messam | 43' |
| RL | 5 | Sam Whitelock | 27' |
| LL | 4 | Brodie Retallick |
| TP | 3 | Owen Franks | 65' |
| HK | 2 | Dane Coles | 65' |
| LP | 1 | Wyatt Crockett | 58' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Keven Mealamu | 65' |
| PR | 17 | Joe Moody | 58' |
| PR | 18 | Ben Franks | 65' |
| LK | 19 | Jeremy Thrush | 27' |
| FL | 20 | Sam Cane | 43' |
| SH | 21 | TJ Perenara | 73' |
| FH | 22 | Colin Slade | 55' |
| CE | 23 | Malakai Fekitoa |
| Coach: ||
| Steve Hansen ||
| FB | 15 | Joaquín Tuculet |
| RW | 14 | Horacio Agulla | 65' |
| OC | 13 | Marcelo Bosch |
| IC | 12 | Juan Martín Hernández |
| LW | 11 | Lucas González Amorosino |
| FH | 10 | Nicolás Sánchez | 73' |
| SH | 9 | Martín Landajo | 54' |
| N8 | 8 | Leonardo Senatore | 65' |
| OF | 7 | Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe |
| BF | 6 | Juan Manuel Leguizamón |
| RL | 5 | Tomás Lavanini |
| LL | 4 | Mariano Galarza | 73' |
| TP | 3 | Ramiro Herrera | 66' |
| HK | 2 | Agustín Creevy (c) | 73' |
| LP | 1 | Marcos Ayerza | 65' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Matías Cortese | 73' |
| PR | 17 | Lucas Noguera Paz | 65' |
| PR | 18 | Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro | 66' |
| LK | 19 | Matías Alemanno | 73' |
| FL | 20 | Rodrigo Baez | 65' |
| SH | 21 | Tomás Cubelli | 54' |
| FH | 22 | Santiago González Iglesias | 73' |
| WG | 23 | Juan Imhoff | 65' |
| Coach: ||
| Daniel Hourcade ||
* Man of the Match:
* Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)
* Touch judges:
* Jérôme Garcès (France)
* Rohan Hoffmann (Australia)
* Television match official:
* Peter Marshall (Australia)
* 6 September 2014 18:05 AWST (UTC+08)
| Australia | 24–23 | South Africa (1 BP) |
| Try: Folau 1' m Horne 77' c Con: Foley (1/2) 78' Pen: Foley (4/4) 16', 27', 41', 68' | Report | Try: Hendricks 12' m Pen: Steyn (6/6) 6', 18', 24', 44', 48', 62' |
* Subiaco Oval, Perth Attendance: 25,718 Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
| FB | 15 | Israel Folau |
| RW | 14 | Adam Ashley-Cooper |
| OC | 13 | Tevita Kuridrani |
| IC | 12 | Matt To'omua | 72' |
| LW | 11 | Rob Horne |
| FH | 10 | Bernard Foley |
| SH | 9 | Nick Phipps |
| N8 | 8 | Wycliff Palu | 59' |
| OF | 7 | Michael Hooper (c) |
| BF | 6 | Scott Fardy | 70' |
| RL | 5 | Rob Simmons |
| LL | 4 | Sam Carter | 59' |
| TP | 3 | Sekope Kepu | 66' |
| HK | 2 | James Hanson |
| LP | 1 | James Slipper | 52' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Joshua Mann-Rea |
| PR | 17 | Pekahou Cowan | 52' |
| PR | 18 | Ben Alexander | 66' |
| LK | 19 | James Horwill | 59' |
| N8 | 20 | Scott Higginbotham | 59' |
| FL | 21 | Matt Hodgson | 70' |
| SH | 22 | Nic White |
| FH | 23 | Kurtley Beale | 72' |
| Coach: ||
| Ewen McKenzie ||
| FB | 15 | Willie le Roux |
| RW | 14 | Cornal Hendricks |
| OC | 13 | Jan Serfontein |
| IC | 12 | Jean de Villiers (c) |
| LW | 11 | Bryan Habana | 65' to 75' |
| FH | 10 | Morné Steyn |
| SH | 9 | Ruan Pienaar |
| N8 | 8 | Duane Vermeulen |
| OF | 7 | Marcell Coetzee |
| BF | 6 | Francois Louw | | 69' |
| RL | 5 | Victor Matfield |
| LL | 4 | Eben Etzebeth | | 72' |
| TP | 3 | Jannie du Plessis | | 66' |
| HK | 2 | Adriaan Strauss | | 60' |
| LP | 1 | Tendai Mtawarira | | 69' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Bismarck du Plessis | | 60' |
| PR | 17 | Trevor Nyakane | | 69' |
| PR | 18 | Marcel van der Merwe | | 66' |
| LK | 19 | Lood de Jager | | 72' |
| N8 | 20 | Warren Whiteley | | | 79' |
| SH | 21 | Francois Hougaard |
| FH | 22 | Pat Lambie | | 69' | 79' |
| CE | 23 | Damian de Allende |
| Coach: ||
| Heyneke Meyer ||
* Man of the Match:
* Tevita Kuridrani (Australia)
* Touch judges:
* Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
* Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
* Television match official:
* Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
Notes:
* Saia Fainga'a was named on the bench, but was withdrawn from the squad to attend the birth of his child.
* Bryan Habana became the fourth South Africa player to earn 100 test caps.
* Warren Whiteley made his international debut for South Africa.

### Week 4

* 13 September 2014 19:35 NZST (UTC+12)
| New Zealand | 14–10 | South Africa (1 BP) |
| Try: McCaw 46' m Pen: Cruden (2/3) 10', 23' Barrett (1/1) 66' | Report | Try: Hendricks 15' Con: Pollard (1/1) 16' Drop: Pollard (1/1) 55' |
* Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington Attendance: 35,747 Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)
| FB | 15 | Israel Dagg |
| RW | 14 | Ben Smith |
| OC | 13 | Conrad Smith |
| IC | 12 | Ma'a Nonu | 40' |
| LW | 11 | Julian Savea |
| FH | 10 | Aaron Cruden | 58' |
| SH | 9 | Aaron Smith |
| N8 | 8 | Kieran Read |
| OF | 7 | Richie McCaw (c) |
| BF | 6 | Steve Luatua | 50' |
| RL | 5 | Jeremy Thrush | 77' |
| LL | 4 | Brodie Retallick |
| TP | 3 | Owen Franks | 58' |
| HK | 2 | Dane Coles | 70' |
| LP | 1 | Wyatt Crockett | 58' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Keven Mealamu | 70' |
| PR | 17 | Joe Moody | 58' |
| PR | 18 | Ben Franks | 58' |
| LK | 19 | Patrick Tuipulotu | 77' |
| FL | 20 | Sam Cane | 50' |
| SH | 21 | TJ Perenara |
| FH | 22 | Beauden Barrett | 58' |
| WG | 23 | Cory Jane | 40' |
| Coach: ||
| Steve Hansen ||
| FB | 15 | Willie le Roux | 70' |
| RW | 14 | Cornal Hendricks |
| OC | 13 | Jan Serfontein |
| IC | 12 | Jean de Villiers (c) |
| LW | 11 | Bryan Habana |
| FH | 10 | Handré Pollard |
| SH | 9 | Ruan Pienaar | 35' |
| N8 | 8 | Duane Vermeulen |
| OF | 7 | Marcell Coetzee |
| BF | 6 | Francois Louw | 47' |
| RL | 5 | Victor Matfield |
| LL | 4 | Eben Etzebeth | 70' |
| TP | 3 | Jannie du Plessis | 77' |
| HK | 2 | Adriaan Strauss | 54' |
| LP | 1 | Tendai Mtawarira | 66' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Bismarck du Plessis | 54' |
| PR | 17 | Trevor Nyakane | 66' |
| PR | 18 | Marcel van der Merwe | 77' |
| LK | 19 | Lood de Jager | 70' |
| N8 | 20 | Warren Whiteley | 47' |
| SH | 21 | Francois Hougaard | 35' |
| FH | 22 | Pat Lambie | 70' |
| CE | 23 | Damian de Allende |
| Coach: ||
| Heyneke Meyer ||
* Man of the Match:
* Duane Vermeulen (South Africa)
* Touch judges:
* Pascal Gaüzère (France)
* Rohan Hoffmann (Australia)
* Television match official:
* Peter Marshall (Australia)
Notes:
* Jean de Villiers became the fifth South Africa player to earn 100 test caps.
* New Zealand retained the Freedom Cup.
* 13 September 2014 20:05 AEST (UTC+10)
| Australia | 32–25 | Argentina (1 BP) |
| Try: Hooper (2) 2' m, 43' c Betham 59' m Con: Foley (1/3) 44' Pen: Foley (5/5) 15', 38', 40', 54', 73' | Report | Try: Montero 6' c Bosch 63' c Tuculet 70' m Con: Sánchez (2/3) 7', 65' Pen: Sánchez (2/3) 49', 57' |
* Robina Stadium, Gold Coast Attendance: 14,281 Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
| FB | 15 | Israel Folau |
| RW | 14 | Peter Betham | 70' |
| OC | 13 | Tevita Kuridrani |
| IC | 12 | Matt To'omua | 52' |
| LW | 11 | Rob Horne |
| FH | 10 | Bernard Foley |
| SH | 9 | Nick Phipps |
| N8 | 8 | Ben McCalman | 69' |
| OF | 7 | Michael Hooper (c) |
| BF | 6 | Scott Fardy | 49' |
| RL | 5 | Rob Simmons |
| LL | 4 | Sam Carter | 61' |
| TP | 3 | Sekope Kepu | 58' |
| HK | 2 | Tatafu Polota-Nau | 40' |
| LP | 1 | James Slipper | 49' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | James Hanson | 40' |
| PR | 17 | Pekahou Cowan | 49' |
| PR | 18 | Ben Alexander | 58' |
| LK | 19 | James Horwill | 61' |
| N8 | 20 | Scott Higginbotham | 49' |
| FL | 21 | Matt Hodgson | 69' |
| SH | 22 | Nic White | 70' |
| FH | 23 | Kurtley Beale | 52' |
| Coach: ||
| Ewen McKenzie ||
| FB | 15 | Joaquín Tuculet |
| RW | 14 | Juan Imhoff |
| OC | 13 | Marcelo Bosch |
| IC | 12 | Juan Martín Hernández | 50' |
| LW | 11 | Manuel Montero | 79' |
| FH | 10 | Nicolás Sánchez |
| SH | 9 | Martín Landajo | 55' |
| N8 | 8 | Leonardo Senatore | 35' | 40' |
| OF | 7 | Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe |
| BF | 6 | Juan Manuel Leguizamón | 50' |
| RL | 5 | Matías Alemanno |
| LL | 4 | Mariano Galarza | | | 67' |
| TP | 3 | Ramiro Herrera | 58' |
| HK | 2 | Agustín Creevy (c) | 72' |
| LP | 1 | Marcos Ayerza | 50' | 66' | 67' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Matías Cortese | 72' |
| PR | 17 | Bruno Postiglioni | 50' | 66' | 67' |
| PR | 18 | Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro | 58' |
| N8 | 19 | Benjamín Macome | 35' | 40' | 67' |
| FL | 20 | Rodrigo Baez | 50' |
| SH | 21 | Tomás Cubelli | 55' |
| CE | 22 | Jerónimo de la Fuente | 50' |
| WG | 23 | Lucas González Amorosino | 79' |
| Coach: ||
| Daniel Hourcade ||
* Man of the Match:
* Bernard Foley (Australia)
* Touch judges:
* George Clancy (Ireland)
* Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
* Television match official:
* Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
Notes:
* The attendance of 14,281 was the lowest attendance for an Australia home test match this century.
* Tatafu Polota-Nau earned his 50th test cap for Australia.
* Australia retained the Puma Trophy.

### Week 5

* 27 September 2014 17:05 SAST (UTC+02)
| (1 BP) South Africa | 28–10 | Australia |
| Try: Coetzee 12' m De Villiers (2) 71', 80' Lambie 78' m Con: Lambie (1/3) 80+2' Pen: Pollard (1/1) 43' Drop: Lambie (1/1) 69' | Report | Try: Ashley-Cooper 25' c Con: Foley (1/1) 27' Pen: Foley (1/2) 24' |
* Newlands Stadium, Cape Town Attendance: 44,955 Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
| FB | 15 | Willie le Roux |
| RW | 14 | Cornal Hendricks |
| OC | 13 | Jan Serfontein |
| IC | 12 | Jean de Villiers (c) |
| LW | 11 | Bryan Habana | 26' to 37' | 26' to 37' | 40' |
| FH | 10 | Handré Pollard | 58' |
| SH | 9 | Francois Hougaard | 77' |
| N8 | 8 | Duane Vermeulen | 61' |
| OF | 7 | Oupa Mohojé | 54' |
| BF | 6 | Marcell Coetzee |
| RL | 5 | Victor Matfield |
| LL | 4 | Eben Etzebeth |
| TP | 3 | Jannie du Plessis | 65' |
| HK | 2 | Adriaan Strauss | 58' |
| LP | 1 | Tendai Mtawarira | 69' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Bismarck du Plessis | 58' |
| PR | 17 | Trevor Nyakane | 69' |
| PR | 18 | Marcel van der Merwe | 65' |
| LK | 19 | Bakkies Botha | 61' |
| FL | 20 | Schalk Burger | 54' |
| SH | 21 | Cobus Reinach | 77' |
| FH | 22 | Pat Lambie | 58' |
| CE | 23 | JP Pietersen | 26' | 37' | 40' |
| Coach: ||
| Heyneke Meyer ||
| FB | 15 | Israel Folau |
| RW | 14 | Adam Ashley-Cooper |
| OC | 13 | Tevita Kuridrani |
| IC | 12 | Matt To'omua | 54' |
| LW | 11 | Joe Tomane | 66' |
| FH | 10 | Bernard Foley |
| SH | 9 | Nick Phipps |
| N8 | 8 | Ben McCalman | 58' |
| OF | 7 | Michael Hooper (c) |
| BF | 6 | Scott Fardy |
| RL | 5 | Rob Simmons | 40' |
| LL | 4 | Sam Carter |
| TP | 3 | Sekope Kepu | 69' |
| HK | 2 | Saia Fainga'a | 61' |
| LP | 1 | James Slipper | 65' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | James Hanson | 61' |
| PR | 17 | Benn Robinson | 65' |
| PR | 18 | Ben Alexander | 69' |
| LK | 19 | James Horwill | 40' |
| N8 | 20 | Scott Higginbotham | 58' |
| SH | 21 | Nic White |
| FH | 22 | Kurtley Beale | 54' |
| WG | 23 | Rob Horne | 66' |
| Coach: ||
| Ewen McKenzie ||
* Man of the Match:
* Francois Hougaard (South Africa)
* Touch judges:
* Wayne Barnes (England)
* Mathieu Raynal (France)
* Television match official:
* Graham Hughes (England)
Notes:
* Cobus Reinach made his international debut for South Africa.
* South Africa retain the Mandela Challenge Plate.
* 27 September 2014 19:10 AST (UTC-03)
| Argentina | 13–34 | New Zealand (1 BP) |
| Try: Agulla 78' c Con: González Iglesias (1/1) 79' Pen: Sánchez (2/3) 16', 35' | Report | Try: B. Smith 11' c Dagg 24' c Savea 56' c Perenara 67' c Con: Barrett (4/4) 12', 25', 57', 68' Pen: Barrett (2/2) 3', 8' |
* Estadio Ciudad de La Plata, La Plata Attendance: 37,000 Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
| FB | 15 | Joaquín Tuculet |
| RW | 14 | Juan Imhoff |
| OC | 13 | Marcelo Bosch | 65' |
| IC | 12 | Juan Martín Hernández | 58' |
| LW | 11 | Manuel Montero |
| FH | 10 | Nicolás Sánchez |
| SH | 9 | Tomás Cubelli | 53' |
| N8 | 8 | Leonardo Senatore | 58' |
| OF | 7 | Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe |
| BF | 6 | Benjamín Macome |
| RL | 5 | Tomás Lavanini |
| LL | 4 | Mariano Galarza | 62' |
| TP | 3 | Ramiro Herrera | 52' |
| HK | 2 | Agustín Creevy (c) | 69' |
| LP | 1 | Marcos Ayerza | 64' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Matías Cortese | 69' |
| PR | 17 | Lucas Noguera Paz | 64' |
| PR | 18 | Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro | 52' |
| LK | 19 | Matías Alemanno | 62' |
| FL | 20 | Rodrigo Baez | 58' |
| SH | 21 | Martín Landajo | 53' |
| FH | 22 | Santiago González Iglesias | 58' |
| WG | 23 | Horacio Agulla | 65' |
| Coach: ||
| Daniel Hourcade ||
| FB | 15 | Israel Dagg |
| RW | 14 | Ben Smith |
| OC | 13 | Conrad Smith | 71' |
| IC | 12 | Malakai Fekitoa |
| LW | 11 | Julian Savea |
| FH | 10 | Beauden Barrett |
| SH | 9 | Aaron Smith | 64' |
| N8 | 8 | Kieran Read |
| OF | 7 | Richie McCaw (c) | 64' |
| BF | 6 | Jerome Kaino |
| RL | 5 | Sam Whitelock |
| LL | 4 | Brodie Retallick | 53' |
| TP | 3 | Owen Franks | 71' |
| HK | 2 | Keven Mealamu | 71' |
| LP | 1 | Wyatt Crockett | 1' to 12' | 1' to 12' | 53' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Nathan Harris | 71' |
| PR | 17 | Joe Moody | 1' | 12' | 53' |
| PR | 18 | Ben Franks | 71' |
| LK | 19 | Jeremy Thrush | 53' |
| FL | 20 | Sam Cane | 64' |
| SH | 21 | TJ Perenara | 64' |
| FH | 22 | Colin Slade | 71' |
| WG | 23 | Cory Jane |
| Coach: ||
| Steve Hansen ||
* Man of the Match:
* Jerome Kaino (New Zealand)
* Touch judges:
* Jérôme Garcès (France)
* Leighton Hodges (Wales)
* Television match official:
* Deon van Blommestein (South Africa)
Notes:
* Nathan Harris made his international debut for New Zealand.

### Week 6

* 4 October 2014 17:05 SAST (UTC+02)
| South Africa | 27–25 | New Zealand (1 BP) |
| Try: Hougaard 11' c Pollard (2) 26' c , 39' c Con: Pollard (3/3) 12', 27', 39' Pen: Pollard (1/2) 46' Lambie (1/1) 78' | Report | Try: Fekitoa 32' c B. Smith 65' c Coles 69' m Con: Barrett (2/3) 33', 66' Pen: Barrett (2/2) 8', 23' |
* Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg Attendance: 61,261 Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
| FB | 15 | Willie le Roux |
| RW | 14 | Cornal Hendricks | 57' |
| OC | 13 | Jan Serfontein |
| IC | 12 | Jean de Villiers (c) |
| LW | 11 | Bryan Habana |
| FH | 10 | Handré Pollard | 62' |
| SH | 9 | Francois Hougaard | 67' |
| N8 | 8 | Duane Vermeulen |
| OF | 7 | Oupa Mohojé | 49' |
| BF | 6 | Marcell Coetzee |
| RL | 5 | Victor Matfield |
| LL | 4 | Eben Etzebeth | 62' |
| TP | 3 | Jannie du Plessis | 62' |
| HK | 2 | Bismarck du Plessis | 52' |
| LP | 1 | Tendai Mtawarira | 72' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Adriaan Strauss | 52' |
| PR | 17 | Trevor Nyakane | 72' |
| PR | 18 | Marcel van der Merwe | 62' |
| LK | 19 | Bakkies Botha | 62' |
| FL | 20 | Schalk Burger | 49' |
| SH | 21 | Cobus Reinach | 67' |
| FH | 22 | Pat Lambie | 62' |
| CE | 23 | JP Pietersen | 57' |
| Coach: ||
| Heyneke Meyer ||
| FB | 15 | Israel Dagg |
| RW | 14 | Ben Smith |
| OC | 13 | Conrad Smith | 73' |
| IC | 12 | Malakai Fekitoa |
| LW | 11 | Julian Savea |
| FH | 10 | Beauden Barrett |
| SH | 9 | Aaron Smith | 65' |
| N8 | 8 | Kieran Read |
| OF | 7 | Richie McCaw (c) |
| BF | 6 | Jerome Kaino | 60' |
| RL | 5 | Sam Whitelock |
| LL | 4 | Jeremy Thrush | 48' |
| TP | 3 | Owen Franks | 57' |
| HK | 2 | Keven Mealamu | 48' |
| LP | 1 | Joe Moody | 40' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Dane Coles | 48' |
| PR | 17 | Ben Franks | 40' |
| PR | 18 | Charlie Faumuina | 57' |
| FL | 19 | Steve Luatua | 60' |
| FL | 20 | Liam Messam | 48' |
| SH | 21 | Tawera Kerr-Barlow | 65' | 74' |
| FH | 22 | Colin Slade | | 74' |
| CE | 23 | Ryan Crotty | 73' |
| Coach: ||
| Steve Hansen ||
* Man of the Match:
* Duane Vermeulen (South Africa)
* Touch judges:
* Pascal Gauzère (France)
* JP Doyle (RFU)
* Television match official:
* Graham Hughes (RFU)
Notes:
* This loss, was New Zealand's first loss in The Rugby Championship since its formation in 2012.
* South Africa becomes the first team to beat New Zealand, since the All Black's 38–21 loss to England in 2012.
* This was South Africa's first win over New Zealand since their 18–5 win during the 2011 Tri Nations Series.
* 4 October 2014 19:40 AST (UTC-03)
| Argentina | 21–17 | Australia (1 BP) |
| Try: Senatore 34' m Imhoff 52' c Con: Sánchez (1/2) 53' Pen: Sánchez (3/5) 40', 43', 74' | Report | Try: Kuridrani 2' c Higginbotham 12' c Con: Foley (2/2) 4', 13' Pen: Foley (1/3) 47' |
* Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza Attendance: 26,000 Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
| FB | 15 | Joaquín Tuculet | 74' |
| RW | 14 | Juan Imhoff |
| OC | 13 | Horacio Agulla | 69' |
| IC | 12 | Juan Martín Hernández |
| LW | 11 | Lucas González Amorosino |
| FH | 10 | Nicolás Sánchez |
| SH | 9 | Martín Landajo | 58' |
| N8 | 8 | Leonardo Senatore |
| OF | 7 | Benjamín Macome | 13' |
| BF | 6 | Rodrigo Báez |
| RL | 5 | Tomás Lavanini |
| LL | 4 | Mariano Galarza | 73' |
| TP | 3 | Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro | 63' |
| HK | 2 | Agustín Creevy (c) |
| LP | 1 | Marcos Ayerza | 66' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Matías Cortese |
| PR | 17 | Bruno Postiglioni | 66' |
| PR | 18 | Ramiro Herrera | 63' |
| LK | 19 | Matías Alemanno | 73' |
| FL | 20 | Javier Ortega Desio | 13' |
| SH | 21 | Tomás Cubelli | 58' |
| CE | 22 | Marcelo Bosch | 69' |
| CE | 23 | Jerónimo de la Fuente | 74' |
| Coach: ||
| Daniel Hourcade ||
| FB | 15 | Israel Folau |
| RW | 14 | Adam Ashley-Cooper |
| OC | 13 | Tevita Kuridrani |
| IC | 12 | Matt To'omua | | 30' |
| LW | 11 | Joe Tomane |
| FH | 10 | Bernard Foley |
| SH | 9 | Nick Phipps | 42' to 52' | 63' |
| N8 | 8 | Scott Higginbotham | | 58' |
| OF | 7 | Michael Hooper (c) | 73' to 80' |
| BF | 6 | Scott Fardy |
| RL | 5 | James Horwill | | 67' |
| LL | 4 | Sam Carter |
| TP | 3 | Sekope Kepu | | 58' |
| HK | 2 | Saia Fainga'a | | 71' |
| LP | 1 | James Slipper | | 58' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Joshua Mann-Rea | | 71' |
| PR | 17 | Benn Robinson | | 58' |
| PR | 18 | Ben Alexander | | 58' |
| LK | 19 | Will Skelton | | 67' |
| N8 | 20 | Jake Schatz | | 58' |
| FL | 21 | Matt Hodgson |
| SH | 22 | Nic White | | 63' |
| WG | 23 | Rob Horne | | 30' |
| Coach: ||
| Ewen McKenzie ||
* Touch judges:
* Craig Joubert (South Africa)
* Leighton Hodges (Wales)
* Television match official:
* Deon van Blommestein (South Africa)
Notes:
* This was Argentina's first ever win in The Rugby Championship since its formation in 2012.
* This was Argentina's first win over Australia since their 18–16 win in 1997.
* Jake Schatz and Joshua Mann-Rea made their international debuts for Australia.

## Warm-up matches

On 25 July and 2 August, Argentina played two uncapped matches against French Top 14 side Grenoble in preparation for the tournament. This was the third year in which Argentina had played two warm-up matches pre Rugby Championship; New South Wales Waratahs Barbarians in 2013 and Stade Français in 2012.

## 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 | Daniel Hourcade | Agustín Creevy |
| Argentina | Estadio Malvinas Argentinas | Mendoza | 40,268 | Daniel Hourcade | Agustín Creevy |
| Argentina | Estadio Padre Ernesto Martearena | Salta | 20,408 | Daniel Hourcade | Agustín Creevy |
| Australia | Stadium Australia | Sydney | 84,000 | Ewen McKenzie | Michael Hooper |
| Australia | Subiaco Oval | Perth | 43,500 | Ewen McKenzie | Michael Hooper |
| Australia | Robina Stadium | Gold Coast | 27,400 | Ewen McKenzie | Michael Hooper |
| New Zealand | Eden Park | Auckland | 50,000 | Steve Hansen | Richie McCaw |
| New Zealand | Wellington Regional Stadium | Wellington | 34,500 | Steve Hansen | Richie McCaw |
| New Zealand | McLean Park | Napier | 22,000 | Steve Hansen | Richie McCaw |
| South Africa | Ellis Park Stadium | Johannesburg | 62,567 | Heyneke Meyer | Jean de Villiers |
| South Africa | Newlands Stadium | Cape Town | 51,900 | Heyneke Meyer | Jean de Villiers |
| South Africa | Loftus Versfeld Stadium | Pretoria | 51,762 | Heyneke Meyer | Jean de Villiers |
Note: Ages, caps and domestic side are of 16 August 2014 – the starting date of the tournament.

### Argentina

Argentina 30-man squad for the Championship was announced on 23 June. In addition to the 30-man squad, a further nine players were invited to train with the squad and acted as stand-by players should a call-up have been necessary. Those players are: hookers Julián Montoya (Newman) and Santiago Iglesias (Uni. Tucumán), lock Guido Petti (San Isidro), number 8 Benjamín Macome, scrum-half Felipe Ezcurra (Hindú), fly-half Patricio Fernández (Jockey Club), centres Matías Moroni (CUBA) and Javier Rojas (Uni. Tucumán) and winger Ramiro Moyano (Lince R.C.)
On 15 July, Marcos Ayerza was added to the squad to provide further options in the front row.
On 10 September, Benjamín Macome was promoted to the main squad as cover for Tomás Lavanini, who was unable to play in the fourth round.
Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.
| Player | Position | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Club/province |
| Matías Cortese | Hooker | (1985-10-01)1 October 1985 (aged 28) | 7 | Liceo |
| Agustín Creevy (c) | Hooker | (1985-03-15)15 March 1985 (aged 29) | 28 | Worcester Warriors |
| Marcos Ayerza | Prop | (1983-01-12)12 January 1983 (aged 31) | 48 | Leicester Tigers |
| Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro | Prop | (1989-11-06)6 November 1989 (aged 24) | 7 | La Plata |
| Ramiro Herrera | Prop | (1989-02-14)14 February 1989 (aged 25) | 2 | Castres |
| Lucas Noguera Paz | Prop | (1993-05-10)10 May 1993 (aged 21) | 5 | Lince R.C. |
| Bruno Postiglioni | Prop | (1987-04-08)8 April 1987 (aged 27) | 13 | La Plata |
| Matías Alemanno | Lock | (1991-12-05)5 December 1991 (aged 22) | 5 | Tablada |
| Mariano Galarza | Lock | (1986-12-11)11 December 1986 (aged 27) | 18 | Gloucester |
| Tomás Lavanini | Lock | (1993-01-22)22 January 1993 (aged 21) | 10 | Hindú |
| Rodrigo Báez | Flanker | (1989-02-08)8 February 1989 (aged 25) | 11 | Liceo |
| Juan Manuel Leguizamón | Flanker | (1983-06-06)6 June 1983 (aged 31) | 55 | Lyon |
| Pablo Matera | Flanker | (1993-07-18)18 July 1993 (aged 21) | 11 | Leicester Tigers |
| Javier Ortega Desio | Flanker | (1990-06-14)14 June 1990 (aged 24) | 8 | Paraná |
| Tomás de la Vega | Flanker | (1990-09-28)28 September 1990 (aged 23) | 12 | CUBA |
| Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe | Number 8 | (1981-11-19)19 November 1981 (aged 32) | 56 | Toulon |
| Benjamín Macome | Number 8 | (1986-10-01)1 October 1986 (aged 27) | 18 | Unattached |
| Leonardo Senatore | Number 8 | (1984-05-13)13 May 1984 (aged 30) | 20 | Worcester Warriors |
| Tomás Cubelli | Scrum-half | (1989-06-12)12 June 1989 (aged 25) | 25 | Belgrano |
| Martín Landajo | Scrum-half | (1988-06-14)14 June 1988 (aged 26) | 31 | C.A.S.I. |
| Santiago González Iglesias | Fly-half | (1988-06-16)16 June 1988 (aged 26) | 7 | Alumni |
| Nicolás Sánchez | Fly-half | (1988-10-26)26 October 1988 (aged 25) | 21 | Unattached |
| Marcelo Bosch | Centre | (1984-01-07)7 January 1984 (aged 30) | 25 | Saracens |
| Jerónimo de la Fuente | Centre | (1991-02-24)24 February 1991 (aged 23) | 4 | Duendes |
| Matías Orlando | Centre | (1991-11-14)14 November 1991 (aged 22) | 9 | Huirapuca |
| Horacio Agulla | Wing | (1984-10-22)22 October 1984 (aged 29) | 51 | Bath |
| Lucas González Amorosino | Wing | (1985-11-02)2 November 1985 (aged 28) | 33 | Unattached |
| Juan Imhoff | Wing | (1988-05-11)11 May 1988 (aged 26) | 20 | Racing Métro |
| Manuel Montero | Wing | (1991-11-20)20 November 1991 (aged 22) | 13 | Pucará |
| Santiago Cordero | Fullback | (1993-12-06)6 December 1993 (aged 20) | 7 | Regatas |
| Juan Martín Hernández | Fullback | (1982-08-07)7 August 1982 (aged 32) | 44 | Unattached |
| Joaquín Tuculet | Fullback | (1989-08-08)8 August 1989 (aged 25) | 11 | Unattached |

### Australia

Australia 32-man squad for the Championship was announced on 23 July.
Although Henry Speight has been named in the squad, he is not eligible to play for the Wallabies until September 11, after round three of the Championship.
On 30 July, Peter Betham was called up to the squad as cover for Henry Speight, who was ruled out with a hamstring injury.
On 5 August, Tolu Latu and Laurie Weeks were called up to the squad as cover for Tatafu Polota-Nau, who was ruled out of the opening match with a ligament injury, and Scott Sio who was ruled out with an ankle injury.
On 10 August, Tom English and Paddy Ryan were called up to the squad to cover Joe Tomane and Laurie Weeks who both suffered hamstring injuries in training, thus being ruled out of the start of the Championship.
On 11 August, Saia Fainga'a was called up to the squad to replace Tolu Latu who was withdrawn from the squad due to a broken arm.
On 27 August, Kyle Godwin was called up to the squad to replace Pat McCabe who was withdrawn from the squad due to a retirement enforced injury.
On 4 September, Josh Mann-Rea was called up to the squad as cover for Saia Fainga'a, who potentially would have to leave the squad for the birth of his child during the week leading up to Round 3. Although Mann-Rea remained in the squad for Round's 5 and 6 with Polota-Nau withdrawing from the squad due to injury.
On 7 September, Will Genia and Benn Robinson was added to the squad as training cover for their respective positions. Although they remained in the squad for Round's 5 and 6 as a full squad member.
On 8 September, Jake Schatz was added to the squad as cover for Wycliff Palu who was ruled out of Round 4.
| Player | Position | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Club/province |
| Nathan Charles | Hooker | (1989-01-09)9 January 1989 (aged 25) | 2 | Force |
| Saia Fainga'a | Hooker | (1987-02-02)2 February 1987 (aged 27) | 29 | Reds |
| James Hanson | Hooker | (1988-09-15)15 September 1988 (aged 25) | 1 | Reds |
| Tolu Latu | Hooker | (1993-02-23)23 February 1993 (aged 21) | 0 | Waratahs |
| Joshua Mann-Rea | Hooker | (1981-02-19)19 February 1981 (aged 33) | 0 | Brumbies |
| Tatafu Polota-Nau | Hooker | (1985-07-26)26 July 1985 (aged 29) | 49 | Waratahs |
| Ben Alexander | Prop | (1984-11-13)13 November 1984 (aged 29) | 62 | Brumbies |
| Pekahou Cowan | Prop | (1986-06-02)2 June 1986 (aged 28) | 7 | Force |
| Sekope Kepu | Prop | (1986-02-05)5 February 1986 (aged 28) | 41 | Waratahs |
| Benn Robinson | Prop | (1984-07-19)19 July 1984 (aged 30) | 66 | Waratahs |
| Paddy Ryan | Prop | (1988-08-09)9 August 1988 (aged 26) | 3 | Waratahs |
| Scott Sio | Prop | (1991-10-16)16 October 1991 (aged 22) | 5 | Brumbies |
| James Slipper (vc) | Prop | (1989-06-06)6 June 1989 (aged 25) | 52 | Reds |
| Laurie Weeks | Prop | (1986-04-05)5 April 1986 (aged 28) | 2 | Rebels |
| Sam Carter | Lock | (1989-09-10)10 September 1989 (aged 24) | 1 | Brumbies |
| James Horwill | Lock | (1985-05-29)29 May 1985 (aged 29) | 51 | Reds |
| Rob Simmons | Lock | (1989-04-19)19 April 1989 (aged 25) | 40 | Reds |
| Will Skelton | Lock | (1992-05-03)3 May 1992 (aged 22) | 1 | Waratahs |
| Scott Fardy | Flanker | (1984-07-05)5 July 1984 (aged 30) | 13 | Brumbies |
| Matt Hodgson | Flanker | (1981-06-25)25 June 1981 (aged 33) | 6 | Force |
| Michael Hooper (c) | Flanker | (1991-10-29)29 October 1991 (aged 22) | 31 | Waratahs |
| Scott Higginbotham | Number 8 | (1986-09-05)5 September 1986 (aged 27) | 24 | Rebels |
| Ben McCalman | Number 8 | (1988-03-18)18 March 1988 (aged 26) | 32 | Force |
| Wycliff Palu | Number 8 | (1982-07-27)27 July 1982 (aged 32) | 51 | Waratahs |
| Jake Schatz | Number 8 | (1990-07-25)25 July 1990 (aged 24) | 0 | Reds |
| Luke Burgess | Scrum-half | (1983-08-20)20 August 1983 (aged 30) | 37 | Rebels |
| Will Genia | Scrum-half | (1988-01-17)17 January 1988 (aged 26) | 55 | Reds |
| Nick Phipps | Scrum-half | (1989-01-09)9 January 1989 (aged 25) | 17 | Waratahs |
| Nic White | Scrum-half | (1990-06-13)13 June 1990 (aged 24) | 13 | Brumbies |
| Kurtley Beale | Fly-half | (1989-01-06)6 January 1989 (aged 25) | 42 | Waratahs |
| Bernard Foley | Fly-half | (1989-09-08)8 September 1989 (aged 24) | 7 | Waratahs |
| Kyle Godwin | Centre | (1992-07-30)30 July 1992 (aged 22) | 0 | Force |
| Tevita Kuridrani | Centre | (1991-03-31)31 March 1991 (aged 23) | 11 | Brumbies |
| Christian Lealiifano | Centre | (1987-09-24)24 September 1987 (aged 26) | 13 | Brumbies |
| Pat McCabe | Centre | (1988-03-21)21 March 1988 (aged 26) | 22 | Brumbies |
| Matt To'omua | Centre | (1990-01-02)2 January 1990 (aged 24) | 13 | Brumbies |
| Adam Ashley-Cooper (vc) | Wing | (1984-03-27)27 March 1984 (aged 30) | 94 | Waratahs |
| Peter Betham | Wing | (1989-01-06)6 January 1989 (aged 25) | 1 | Waratahs |
| Tom English | Wing | (1991-03-08)8 March 1991 (aged 23) | 0 | Rebels |
| Rob Horne | Wing | (1989-09-04)4 September 1989 (aged 24) | 16 | Waratahs |
| Henry Speight | Wing | (1988-03-24)24 March 1988 (aged 26) | 0 | Brumbies |
| Joe Tomane | Wing | (1990-02-02)2 February 1990 (aged 24) | 9 | Brumbies |
| Israel Folau | Fullback | (1989-04-03)3 April 1989 (aged 25) | 18 | Waratahs |

### New Zealand

New Zealand 31-man squad for the Championship was announced on 28 July.
On 6 August, Colin Slade was added to the squad as cover for Dan Carter, who will miss the opening two matches of the Championship.
Joe Moody was also named in the squad as an injury replacement for Tony Woodcock who was initially meant to miss the start of the Championship. However, on 8 August he was ruled out of the whole Championship with Moody replacing Woodcock fully in the squad. Jeremy Thrush was also added to the squad on 8 August, to cover Dominic Bird who will miss the opening two matches due to injury.
On 15 August, Ryan Crotty was added to the squad to cover Conrad Smith who returned to New Zealand pre-round 1 due to the birth of his child.
On 16 September, Nathan Harris was added to the squad for Round's 5 and 6 as cover in his position.
On 22 September, Tom Taylor was added to the squad to replace Aaron Cruden who was withdrawn from the squad as a disciplinary action.
| Player | Position | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Club/province |
| Dane Coles | Hooker | (1986-12-10)10 December 1986 (aged 27) | 18 | Wellington / Hurricanes |
| Nathan Harris | Hooker | (1990-03-08)8 March 1990 (aged 24) | 0 | Bay of Plenty / Chiefs |
| Keven Mealamu | Hooker | (1979-03-20)20 March 1979 (aged 35) | 113 | Auckland / Blues |
| Wyatt Crockett | Prop | (1983-01-24)24 January 1983 (aged 31) | 27 | Canterbury / Crusaders |
| Charlie Faumuina | Prop | (1986-12-24)24 December 1986 (aged 27) | 20 | Auckland / Blues |
| Ben Franks | Prop | (1984-03-27)27 March 1984 (aged 30) | 31 | Hawke's Bay / Hurricanes |
| Owen Franks | Prop | (1987-12-23)23 December 1987 (aged 26) | 57 | Canterbury / Crusaders |
| Joe Moody | Prop | (1988-09-18)18 September 1988 (aged 25) | 0 | Canterbury / Crusaders |
| Tony Woodcock | Prop | (1981-01-27)27 January 1981 (aged 33) | 110 | North Harbour / Blues |
| Dominic Bird | Lock | (1991-04-09)9 April 1991 (aged 23) | 1 | Canterbury / Crusaders |
| Brodie Retallick | Lock | (1991-05-31)31 May 1991 (aged 23) | 27 | Bay of Plenty / Chiefs |
| Jeremy Thrush | Lock | (1985-04-19)19 April 1985 (aged 29) | 5 | Wellington / Hurricanes |
| Patrick Tuipulotu | Lock | (1993-01-23)23 January 1993 (aged 21) | 2 | Auckland / Blues |
| Sam Whitelock | Lock | (1988-10-12)12 October 1988 (aged 25) | 54 | Canterbury / Crusaders |
| Sam Cane | Flanker | (1992-01-13)13 January 1992 (aged 22) | 14 | Bay of Plenty / Chiefs |
| Steve Luatua | Flanker | (1991-04-29)29 April 1991 (aged 23) | 11 | Auckland / Blues |
| Richie McCaw (c) | Flanker | (1980-12-31)31 December 1980 (aged 33) | 127 | Canterbury / Crusaders |
| Liam Messam | Flanker | (1984-03-25)25 March 1984 (aged 30) | 32 | Waikato / Chiefs |
| Jerome Kaino | Number 8 | (1983-04-06)6 April 1983 (aged 31) | 51 | Auckland / Blues |
| Kieran Read | Number 8 | (1985-10-26)26 October 1985 (aged 28) | 62 | Canterbury / Crusaders |
| Tawera Kerr-Barlow | Half-back | (1990-08-15)15 August 1990 (aged 24) | 14 | Waikato / Chiefs |
| TJ Perenara | Half-back | (1992-01-23)23 January 1992 (aged 22) | 3 | Wellington / Hurricanes |
| Aaron Smith | Half-back | (1988-11-21)21 November 1988 (aged 25) | 29 | Manawatu / Highlanders |
| Beauden Barrett | First five-eighth | (1991-05-27)27 May 1991 (aged 23) | 19 | Taranaki / Hurricanes |
| Dan Carter | First five-eighth | (1982-03-05)5 March 1982 (aged 32) | 100 | Canterbury / Crusaders |
| Aaron Cruden | First five-eighth | (1989-01-08)8 January 1989 (aged 25) | 32 | Manawatu / Chiefs |
| Colin Slade | First five-eighth | (1987-10-10)10 October 1987 (aged 26) | 11 | Canterbury / Crusaders |
| Tom Taylor | First five-eighth | (1989-03-11)11 March 1989 (aged 25) | 3 | Canterbury / Crusaders |
| Ryan Crotty | Centre | (1988-09-23)23 September 1988 (aged 25) | 6 | Canterbury / Crusaders |
| Malakai Fekitoa | Centre | (1992-05-10)10 May 1992 (aged 22) | 2 | Auckland / Highlanders |
| Ma'a Nonu | Centre | (1982-05-21)21 May 1982 (aged 32) | 91 | Wellington / Blues |
| Conrad Smith | Centre | (1981-10-12)12 October 1981 (aged 32) | 77 | Wellington / Hurricanes |
| Cory Jane | Wing | (1983-02-08)8 February 1983 (aged 31) | 48 | Wellington / Hurricanes |
| Julian Savea | Wing | (1990-08-07)7 August 1990 (aged 24) | 22 | Wellington / Hurricanes |
| Ben Smith | Wing | (1986-06-01)1 June 1986 (aged 28) | 29 | Otago / Highlanders |
| Israel Dagg | Fullback | (1988-06-06)6 June 1988 (aged 26) | 39 | Hawke's Bay / Crusaders |
| Charles Piutau | Fullback | (1991-10-31)31 October 1991 (aged 22) | 10 | Auckland / Blues |

### South Africa

South Africa 30-man squad for the Championship was announced on 2 August.
On 6 August, Juan Smith was called up to the squad to cover Victor Matfield who has been ruled out of the opening match of the championship.
On 16 August, Warren Whiteley was added to the squad as cover for Willem Alberts, who was ruled out of Round 2 with a hamstring injury.
On 25 August, Marcel van der Merwe was added to the squad to replace Frans Malherbe who was withdrawn from the squad prior to Round 3 due to an injury.
On 14 September, JP Pietersen was added to the squad for the final two matches of the Championship.
On 17 September, Schalk Burger was added to the squad to replace Francois Louw who withdrew from the squad for Round's 5 and 6 due to injury.
Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.
| Player | Position | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Club/province |
| Schalk Brits | Hooker | (1981-05-16)16 May 1981 (aged 33) | 7 | Saracens |
| Bismarck du Plessis ‡ | Hooker | (1984-05-22)22 May 1984 (aged 30) | 60 | Sharks |
| Adriaan Strauss | Hooker | (1985-11-18)18 November 1985 (aged 28) | 34 | Free State Cheetahs |
| Jannie du Plessis ‡ | Prop | (1982-11-16)16 November 1982 (aged 31) | 54 | Sharks |
| Frans Malherbe | Prop | (1991-03-14)14 March 1991 (aged 23) | 2 | Western Province |
| Tendai Mtawarira ‡ | Prop | (1985-08-01)1 August 1985 (aged 29) | 55 | Sharks |
| Trevor Nyakane | Prop | (1989-05-04)4 May 1989 (aged 25) | 4 | Free State Cheetahs |
| Gurthrö Steenkamp | Prop | (1981-06-12)12 June 1981 (aged 33) | 51 | Toulouse |
| Marcel van der Merwe | Prop | (1990-10-24)24 October 1990 (aged 23) | 1 | Blue Bulls |
| Bakkies Botha | Lock | (1979-09-22)22 September 1979 (aged 34) | 79 | Toulon |
| Lood de Jager | Lock | (1992-12-17)17 December 1992 (aged 21) | 3 | Free State Cheetahs |
| Eben Etzebeth ‡ | Lock | (1991-10-29)29 October 1991 (aged 22) | 23 | Western Province |
| Victor Matfield | Lock | (1977-05-11)11 May 1977 (aged 37) | 113 | Blue Bulls |
| Juan Smith | Lock | (1981-07-30)30 July 1981 (aged 33) | 69 | Toulon |
| Willem Alberts ‡ | Flanker | (1984-05-11)11 May 1984 (aged 30) | 32 | Sharks |
| Schalk Burger | Flanker | (1983-04-13)13 April 1983 (aged 31) | 71 | Suntory Sungoliath |
| Marcell Coetzee ‡ | Flanker | (1991-05-08)8 May 1991 (aged 23) | 16 | Sharks |
| Francois Louw | Flanker | (1985-06-15)15 June 1985 (aged 29) | 30 | Bath |
| Oupa Mohojé | Flanker | (1990-08-03)3 August 1990 (aged 24) | 1 | Free State Cheetahs |
| Duane Vermeulen ‡ | Number 8 | (1986-07-03)3 July 1986 (aged 28) | 19 | Western Province |
| Warren Whiteley ‡ | Number 8 | (1987-09-18)18 September 1987 (aged 26) | 0 | Golden Lions |
| Francois Hougaard ‡ | Scrum-half | (1988-04-06)6 April 1988 (aged 26) | 28 | Blue Bulls |
| Ruan Pienaar | Scrum-half | (1984-03-10)10 March 1984 (aged 30) | 76 | Ulster |
| Cobus Reinach | Scrum-half | (1990-02-07)7 February 1990 (aged 24) | 0 | Sharks |
| Pat Lambie ‡ | Fly-half | (1990-10-17)17 October 1990 (aged 23) | 32 | Sharks |
| Handré Pollard | Fly-half | (1994-03-11)11 March 1994 (aged 20) | 1 | Blue Bulls |
| Morné Steyn | Fly-half | (1984-07-11)11 July 1984 (aged 30) | 56 | Stade Français |
| Damian de Allende | Centre | (1991-11-25)25 November 1991 (aged 22) | 0 | Western Province |
| Jean de Villiers (c) ‡ | Centre | (1981-02-24)24 February 1981 (aged 33) | 96 | Western Province |
| JP Pietersen | Centre | (1989-07-12)12 July 1989 (aged 25) | 54 | Panasonic Wild Knights |
| Jan Serfontein | Centre | (1993-04-15)15 April 1993 (aged 21) | 12 | Blue Bulls |
| Bryan Habana | Wing | (1983-06-12)12 June 1983 (aged 31) | 97 | Toulon |
| Cornal Hendricks | Wing | (1988-04-18)18 April 1988 (aged 26) | 3 | Free State Cheetahs |
| Lwazi Mvovo | Wing | (1986-06-03)3 June 1986 (aged 28) | 9 | Sharks |
| Willie le Roux ‡ | Fullback | (1989-08-18)18 August 1989 (aged 24) | 15 | Free State Cheetahs |
‡ denotes players who are contracted to the South African Rugby Union.