# 2018 Rugby Championship

The 2018 Rugby Championship was the seventh edition of the expanded annual southern hemisphere Rugby Championship, featuring Argentina, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. The competition is operated by SANZAAR, a joint venture of the four countries' national unions.
The tournament continued to use the same sequence of games across the schedule, starting on 18 August with Australia hosting reigning champions New Zealand and South Africa hosting Argentina, and ending after eight weeks (six rounds and two bye weeks) on 6 October when New Zealand visited South Africa and Australia played in Argentina.
New Zealand won the Championship for the sixth time after a 35-17 win over Argentina in Buenos Aires on 29 September.

## Background

The tournament is operated by SANZAAR and known for sponsorship reasons as The Castle Rugby Championship in South Africa, The Investec Rugby Championship in New Zealand, The Mitsubishi Estate Rugby Championship in Australia, and The Personal Rugby Championship in Argentina.

## Format

The format for the 2018 tournament retained the previous Championship format that changed in 2017. Each side played the other once at home, and once away, giving a total of six matches each, and twelve in total. A win earned a team four league points, a draw two league points, and a loss by eight or more points zero league points. A bonus point was earned in one of two ways: by scoring at least three tries more than the opponent in a match, or by losing within seven points. The competition winner was the side with the most points at the end of the tournament.

## Table

| 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 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 225 | 132 | +93 | 4 | 1 | 25 |
| 2 | South Africa | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 160 | 154 | +6 | 1 | 2 | 15 |
| 3 | Australia | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 124 | 176 | −52 | 0 | 1 | 9 |
| 4 | Argentina | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 151 | 198 | −47 | 0 | 0 | 8 |

## Results
### Round 1

* 18 August 2018 19:45 AEST (UTC+10)
| Australia | 13–38 | New Zealand (1 BP) |
| Try: Maddocks 66' c Con: Foley (1/1) 66' Pen: Hodge (1/1) 9' Foley (1/1) 20' | Report | Try: A. Smith 38' m Goodhue 42' c B. Barrett 51' c Retallick 62' c Naholo (2) 73' m, 74' c Con: B. Barrett (4/6) 43', 52', 64', 76' |
* Stadium Australia, Sydney Attendance: 66,318 Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
| FB | 15 | Israel Folau | 63' |
| RW | 14 | Dane Haylett-Petty | 53' |
| OC | 13 | Reece Hodge |
| IC | 12 | Kurtley Beale |
| LW | 11 | Marika Koroibete |
| FH | 10 | Bernard Foley |
| SH | 9 | Will Genia | 73' |
| N8 | 8 | David Pocock |
| OF | 7 | Michael Hooper (c) | 73' |
| BF | 6 | Lukhan Tui |
| RL | 5 | Adam Coleman |
| LL | 4 | Izack Rodda | 64' |
| TP | 3 | Sekope Kepu | 34' to 40' | 34' to 40' | 58' |
| HK | 2 | Tatafu Polota-Nau | 45' |
| LP | 1 | Tom Robertson | | | 73' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Tolu Latu | 45' |
| PR | 17 | Allan Alaalatoa | | | 58' |
| PR | 18 | Jermaine Ainsley | 34' | 40' | 73' |
| LK | 19 | Rob Simmons | 64' |
| FL | 20 | Pete Samu | 73' |
| SH | 21 | Nick Phipps | 73' |
| FH | 22 | Matt To'omua | 63' |
| WG | 23 | Jack Maddocks | 53' |
| Coach: ||
| Michael Cheika ||
| FB | 15 | Ben Smith |
| RW | 14 | Waisake Naholo |
| OC | 13 | Jack Goodhue |
| IC | 12 | Ryan Crotty | 12' |
| LW | 11 | Rieko Ioane | 46' |
| FH | 10 | Beauden Barrett |
| SH | 9 | Aaron Smith | 67' |
| N8 | 8 | Kieran Read (c) |
| OF | 7 | Sam Cane | 69' |
| BF | 6 | Liam Squire | 58' |
| RL | 5 | Sam Whitelock |
| LL | 4 | Brodie Retallick |
| TP | 3 | Owen Franks | 58' |
| HK | 2 | Codie Taylor | 67' |
| LP | 1 | Joe Moody | 53' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Nathan Harris | 67' |
| PR | 17 | Tim Perry | 53' |
| PR | 18 | Karl Tu’inukuafe | 58' |
| LK | 19 | Scott Barrett | 58' |
| FL | 20 | Ardie Savea | 69' |
| SH | 21 | TJ Perenara | 67' |
| FH | 22 | Damian McKenzie | 46' |
| CE | 23 | Anton Lienert-Brown | 12' |
| Coach: ||
| Steve Hansen ||
* Man of the Match:
* Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)
* Touch judges:
* Wayne Barnes (England)
* Luke Pearce (England)
* Television match official:
* Marius Jonker (South Africa)
Notes:
* Jermaine Ainsley and Jack Maddocks (both Australia) and Tim Perry (New Zealand) made their international debuts.
* Sam Whitelock (New Zealand) became the eighth and youngest ever All Black to earn his 100th test cap.
* 18 August 2018 17:05 SAST (UTC+02)
| (1 BP) South Africa | 34–21 | Argentina |
| Try: Am 7' m Dyantyi (2) 31' m, 41' c Mapimpi (2) 48' m, 52' m De Klerk 69' c Con: Pollard (2/6) 43', 70' | Report | Try: Sanchez 14' c Matera 26' c Moroni 66' c Con: Sanchez (3/3) 15', 28', 66' |
* Kings Park Stadium, Durban Attendance: 26,800 Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)
| FB | 15 | Willie le Roux |
| RW | 14 | Makazole Mapimpi |
| OC | 13 | Lukhanyo Am | 72' |
| IC | 12 | André Esterhuizen | 62' |
| LW | 11 | Aphiwe Dyantyi | 73' |
| FH | 10 | Handré Pollard |
| SH | 9 | Faf de Klerk |
| N8 | 8 | Warren Whiteley |
| OF | 7 | Siya Kolisi (c) |
| BF | 6 | Francois Louw | 59' |
| RL | 5 | Pieter-Steph du Toit |
| LL | 4 | Eben Etzebeth |
| TP | 3 | Frans Malherbe | 57' |
| HK | 2 | Malcolm Marx | 64' |
| LP | 1 | Tendai Mtawarira | 51' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Bongi Mbonambi | 64' |
| PR | 17 | Steven Kitshoff | 51' |
| PR | 18 | Thomas du Toit | 57' |
| LK | 19 | Marvin Orie |
| FL | 20 | Marco van Staden | 59' |
| SH | 21 | Embrose Papier | 73' |
| CE | 22 | Lionel Mapoe | 72' |
| FH | 23 | Damian Willemse | 62' |
| Coach: ||
| Rassie Erasmus ||
| FB | 15 | Emiliano Boffelli |
| RW | 14 | Bautista Delguy |
| OC | 13 | Matías Moroni |
| IC | 12 | Bautista Ezcurra | 79' |
| LW | 11 | Ramiro Moyano |
| FH | 10 | Nicolás Sánchez |
| SH | 9 | Gonzalo Bertranou | 62' |
| N8 | 8 | Javier Ortega Desio |
| OF | 7 | Marcos Kremer |
| BF | 6 | Pablo Matera | 50' |
| RL | 5 | Matías Alemanno | 53' |
| LL | 4 | Guido Petti |
| TP | 3 | Juan Figallo | 62' |
| HK | 2 | Agustín Creevy (c) | 71' |
| LP | 1 | Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro | 50' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Diego Fortuny | 71' |
| PR | 17 | Santiago García Botta | 50' |
| PR | 18 | Santiago Medrano | 62' |
| LK | 19 | Tomás Lavanini | 53' |
| FL | 20 | Tomás Lezana | 50' |
| SH | 21 | Martín Landajo | 62' |
| CE | 22 | Santiago González Iglesias | 79' |
| FB | 23 | Juan Cruz Mallia |
| Coach: ||
| Mario Ledesma ||
* Man of the Match:
* Aphiwe Dyantyi (South Africa)
* Touch judges:
* Angus Gardner (Australia)
* Andrew Brace (Ireland)
* Television match official:
* Simon McDowell (Ireland)
Notes:
* Marco van Staden and Damian Willemse (both South Africa) and Diego Fortuny (Argentina) made their international debuts.
* Pablo Matera (Argentina) earned his 50th test cap.

### Round 2

* 25 August 2018 19:35 NZST (UTC+12)
| (1 BP) New Zealand | 40–12 | Australia |
| Try: B. Barrett (4) 12' c, 37' c, 61' c, 68' m Moody 42' c Squire 47' c Con: B. Barrett (5/6) 13', 38' 43', 48', 62' | Report | Try: Genia 28' c Hodge 54' m Con: Foley (1/2) 29' |
* Eden Park, Auckland Attendance: 49,983 Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
| FB | 15 | Jordie Barrett | 66' |
| RW | 14 | Ben Smith |
| OC | 13 | Jack Goodhue | 62' |
| IC | 12 | Ngani Laumape |
| LW | 11 | Waisake Naholo |
| FH | 10 | Beauden Barrett |
| SH | 9 | Aaron Smith | 62' |
| N8 | 8 | Kieran Read (c) |
| OF | 7 | Sam Cane | 52' |
| BF | 6 | Liam Squire | 55' |
| RL | 5 | Sam Whitelock |
| LL | 4 | Brodie Retallick |
| TP | 3 | Owen Franks | 51' |
| HK | 2 | Codie Taylor | 55' |
| LP | 1 | Joe Moody | 55' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Nathan Harris | 55' |
| PR | 17 | Karl Tu’inukuafe | 55' |
| PR | 18 | Ofa Tu'ungafasi | 51' |
| LK | 19 | Scott Barrett | 55' |
| FL | 20 | Ardie Savea | 52' |
| SH | 21 | TJ Perenara | 62' |
| FH | 22 | Damian McKenzie | 66' |
| CE | 23 | Anton Lienert-Brown | 62' |
| Coach: ||
| Steve Hansen ||
| FB | 15 | Dane Haylett-Petty | 64' |
| RW | 14 | Jack Maddocks |
| OC | 13 | Reece Hodge |
| IC | 12 | Kurtley Beale |
| LW | 11 | Marika Koroibete |
| FH | 10 | Bernard Foley | 70' |
| SH | 9 | Will Genia | 70' |
| N8 | 8 | David Pocock |
| OF | 7 | Michael Hooper (c) | 70' |
| BF | 6 | Lukhan Tui |
| RL | 5 | Adam Coleman |
| LL | 4 | Izack Rodda | 51' |
| TP | 3 | Allan Alaalatoa | 51' |
| HK | 2 | Tatafu Polota-Nau | 52' |
| LP | 1 | Scott Sio | 51' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Folau Fainga'a | 52' |
| PR | 17 | Tom Robertson | 51' |
| PR | 18 | Sekope Kepu | 51' |
| LK | 19 | Rob Simmons | 51' |
| FL | 20 | Pete Samu | 70' |
| SH | 21 | Nick Phipps | 70' |
| FH | 22 | Matt To'omua | 64' |
| FB | 23 | Tom Banks | 70' |
| Coach: ||
| Michael Cheika ||
* Man of the Match:
* Beauden Barrett (New Zealand)
* Touch judges:
* Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
* Luke Pearce (England)
* Television match official:
* Marius Jonker (South Africa)
Notes:
* Folau Fainga'a and Tom Banks (both Australia) made their international debuts.
* Owen Franks (New Zealand) became the ninth ever All Black to earn his 100th test cap.
* New Zealand retain the Bledisloe Cup.
* 25 August 2018 16:10 AST (UTC-03)
| Argentina | 32–19 | South Africa |
| Try: Delguy (2) 18' c, 22' c Sánchez 26' c Moyano 45' m Con: Sánchez (3/4) 19', 23', 27' Pen: Sánchez (1/1) 4' Drop: Sánchez (1/1) 36' | Report | Try: Kolisi 13' c Mapoe (2) 47' c, 64' m Con: Pollard (2/3) 14', 48' |
* Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza Attendance: 27,460 Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
| FB | 15 | Emiliano Boffelli |
| RW | 14 | Bautista Delguy |
| OC | 13 | Matías Moroni |
| IC | 12 | Bautista Ezcurra | 79' |
| LW | 11 | Ramiro Moyano | 57' |
| FH | 10 | Nicolás Sánchez |
| SH | 9 | Gonzalo Bertranou | 68' |
| N8 | 8 | Javier Ortega Desio |
| OF | 7 | Marcos Kremer |
| BF | 6 | Pablo Matera | 59' |
| RL | 5 | Tomás Lavanini | 71' |
| LL | 4 | Guido Petti |
| TP | 3 | Juan Figallo | 68' |
| HK | 2 | Agustín Creevy (c) | 76' |
| LP | 1 | Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro | 63' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Facundo Bosch | 76' |
| PR | 17 | Santiago García Botta | 63' |
| PR | 18 | Santiago Medrano | 68' |
| LK | 19 | Matías Alemanno | 71' |
| FL | 20 | Tomás Lezana | 59' |
| SH | 21 | Tomás Cubelli | 68' |
| CE | 22 | Jerónimo de la Fuente | 57' |
| FB | 23 | Juan Cruz Mallia | 79' |
| Coach: ||
| Mario Ledesma ||
| FB | 15 | Willie le Roux |
| RW | 14 | Makazole Mapimpi | | 11' |
| OC | 13 | Lukhanyo Am |
| IC | 12 | André Esterhuizen | | 62' |
| LW | 11 | Aphiwe Dyantyi |
| FH | 10 | Handré Pollard |
| SH | 9 | Faf de Klerk |
| N8 | 8 | Warren Whiteley | | 52' | 62' |
| OF | 7 | Siya Kolisi (c) |
| BF | 6 | Francois Louw |
| RL | 5 | Franco Mostert | | | 62' |
| LL | 4 | Eben Etzebeth | 24' to 34' | 46' |
| TP | 3 | Frans Malherbe | | 62' |
| HK | 2 | Malcolm Marx | | 71' |
| LP | 1 | Tendai Mtawarira | | 42' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Bongi Mbonambi | | 71' |
| PR | 17 | Steven Kitshoff | | 42' |
| PR | 18 | Wilco Louw | | 62' |
| LK | 19 | RG Snyman | | 52' |
| LK | 20 | Pieter-Steph du Toit | | 46' |
| SH | 21 | Embrose Papier |
| CE | 22 | Lionel Mapoe | | 11' |
| FH | 23 | Damian Willemse | | 62' |
| Coach: ||
| Rassie Erasmus ||
* Man of the Match:
* Guido Petti (Argentina)
* Touch judges:
* Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)
* Andrew Brace (Ireland)
* Television match official:
* Simon McDowell (Ireland)
Notes:
* Facundo Bosch (Argentina) made his international debut.
* This is Argentina's largest winning margin over South Africa, surpassing the 12-point difference set in 2015.

### Round 3

* 8 September 2018 19:35 NZST (UTC+12)
| (1 BP) New Zealand | 46–24 | Argentina |
| Try: Milner-Skudder 17' c Perenara (2) 29' m, 57' c Read 48' c Frizell 73' c Goodhue 79' c Con: Mo'unga (5/6) 19', 50', 58', 73', 80' Pen: Mo'unga (2/2) 4', 40' | Report | Try: Moyano 14' c Sánchez 41' c Boffelli 69' c Con: Sánchez (3/3) 15', 42', 70' Pen: Sánchez (1/1) 55' |
* Trafalgar Park, Nelson Attendance: 21,440 Referee: Pascal Gaüzère (France)
| FB | 15 | Ben Smith | 9' | 19' |
| RW | 14 | Nehe Milner-Skudder |
| OC | 13 | Jack Goodhue |
| IC | 12 | Ngani Laumape | 9' |
| LW | 11 | Waisake Naholo | 58' |
| FH | 10 | Richie Mo'unga |
| SH | 9 | TJ Perenara | 71' |
| N8 | 8 | Kieran Read (c) | 58' |
| OF | 7 | Ardie Savea |
| BF | 6 | Shannon Frizell |
| RL | 5 | Scott Barrett |
| LL | 4 | Brodie Retallick | 9' |
| TP | 3 | Owen Franks | 46' |
| HK | 2 | Codie Taylor | 62' |
| LP | 1 | Karl Tu’inukuafe | 58' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Nathan Harris | 62' |
| PR | 17 | Tim Perry | 58' |
| PR | 18 | Ofa Tu'ungafasi | 46' |
| LK | 19 | Sam Whitelock | 9' |
| N8 | 20 | Luke Whitelock | 58' |
| SH | 21 | Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi | 71' |
| FH | 22 | Damian McKenzie | 9' |
| CE | 23 | Anton Lienert-Brown | 9' | 19' | 58' |
| Coach: ||
| Steve Hansen ||
| FB | 15 | Emiliano Boffelli |
| RW | 14 | Bautista Delguy |
| OC | 13 | Matías Moroni | 64' |
| IC | 12 | Jerónimo de la Fuente |
| LW | 11 | Ramiro Moyano |
| FH | 10 | Nicolás Sánchez |
| SH | 9 | Martín Landajo | 62' |
| N8 | 8 | Javier Ortega Desio |
| OF | 7 | Marcos Kremer |
| BF | 6 | Tomás Lezana | 62' |
| RL | 5 | Tomás Lavanini |
| LL | 4 | Guido Petti | 58' |
| TP | 3 | Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro | 50' |
| HK | 2 | Agustín Creevy (c) | 50' |
| LP | 1 | Santiago García Botta | 58' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Julián Montoya | 50' |
| PR | 17 | Juan Pablo Zeiss | 58' |
| PR | 18 | Gaston Cortes | 50' |
| LK | 19 | Matías Alemanno | 58' |
| FL | 20 | Pablo Matera | 62' |
| SH | 21 | Tomás Cubelli | 62' |
| CE | 22 | Bautista Ezcurra |
| FB | 23 | Juan Cruz Mallia | 64' |
| Coach: ||
| Mario Ledesma ||
* Man of the Match:
* TJ Perenara (New Zealand)
* Touch judges:
* Nigel Owens (Wales)
* Nic Berry (Australia)
* Television match official:
* Rowan Kitt (England)
Notes:
* Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (New Zealand) and Juan Pablo Zeiss (Argentina) made their international debuts.
* 8 September 2018 20:05 AEST (UTC+10)
| Australia | 23–18 | South Africa (1 BP) |
| Try: Hooper 1' c To'omua 32' c Con: To'omua (2/2) 2', 33' Pen: Hodge (1/1) 40' To'omua (2/2) 54', 68' | Report | Try: Mbonambi 13' c Mapimpi 27' m Con: Jantjies (1/2) 15' Pen: Jantjies (2/2) 6', 38' |
* Lang Park, Brisbane Attendance: 27,849 Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
| FB | 15 | Dane Haylett-Petty |
| RW | 14 | Jack Maddocks | 61' |
| OC | 13 | Reece Hodge | 68' | 75' |
| IC | 12 | Matt To'omua |
| LW | 11 | Marika Koroibete | | 75' |
| FH | 10 | Kurtley Beale |
| SH | 9 | Will Genia |
| N8 | 8 | Pete Samu |
| OF | 7 | Michael Hooper (c) |
| BF | 6 | Lukhan Tui |
| RL | 5 | Izack Rodda | 41' | 58' | 67' |
| LL | 4 | Rory Arnold | | 58' | 67' | 76' |
| TP | 3 | Allan Alaalatoa | 47' |
| HK | 2 | Tatafu Polota-Nau | 33' | 71' |
| LP | 1 | Scott Sio | 69' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Folau Fainga'a | 33' | 71' |
| PR | 17 | Tom Robertson | 69' |
| PR | 18 | Taniela Tupou | 47' |
| LK | 19 | Rob Simmons | 41' |
| FL | 20 | Ned Hanigan | | | | 76' |
| SH | 21 | Joe Powell |
| FH | 22 | Bernard Foley | 61' |
| FB | 23 | Tom Banks | 68' |
| Coach: ||
| Michael Cheika ||
| FB | 15 | Willie le Roux |
| RW | 14 | Makazole Mapimpi | 33' |
| OC | 13 | Jesse Kriel |
| IC | 12 | Damian de Allende |
| LW | 11 | Aphiwe Dyantyi |
| FH | 10 | Elton Jantjies | 64' |
| SH | 9 | Faf de Klerk |
| N8 | 8 | Warren Whiteley | 61' |
| OF | 7 | Pieter-Steph du Toit |
| BF | 6 | Siya Kolisi (c) |
| RL | 5 | Franco Mostert |
| LL | 4 | Eben Etzebeth | 60' |
| TP | 3 | Frans Malherbe | 57' |
| HK | 2 | Bongi Mbonambi | 34' |
| LP | 1 | Steven Kitshoff | 57' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Malcolm Marx | 34' |
| PR | 17 | Tendai Mtawarira | 57' |
| PR | 18 | Wilco Louw | 57' |
| LK | 19 | RG Snyman | 60' |
| LK | 20 | Francois Louw | 61' |
| SH | 21 | Embrose Papier |
| CE | 22 | Handré Pollard | 64' |
| FB | 23 | Cheslin Kolbe | 33' |
| Coach: ||
| Rassie Erasmus ||
* Man of the Match:
* Matt To'omua (Australia)
* Touch judges:
* John Lacey (Ireland)
* Paul Williams (New Zealand)
* Television match official:
* Glenn Newman (New Zealand)
Notes:
* Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa) made his international debut.
* Australia retain the Mandela Challenge Plate.

### Round 4

* 15 September 2018 19:35 NZST (UTC+12)
| (1 BP) New Zealand | 34–36 | South Africa |
| Try: J. Barrett 4' m A. Smith 15' c Ioane (2) 37' m, 51' c Taylor 60' m Savea 73' m Con: B. Barrett (2/6) 17', 53' | Report | Try: Dyantyi (2) 19' c, 56' m Le Roux 24' c Marx 31' c Kolbe 41' c Con: Pollard (4/5) 20', 25', 32', 42' Pen: Pollard (1/1) 40 |
* Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington Attendance: 34,182 Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
| FB | 15 | Jordie Barrett | 58' |
| RW | 14 | Ben Smith |
| OC | 13 | Anton Lienert-Brown | 58' |
| IC | 12 | Ryan Crotty |
| LW | 11 | Rieko Ioane |
| FH | 10 | Beauden Barrett |
| SH | 9 | Aaron Smith | 49' |
| N8 | 8 | Kieran Read (c) |
| OF | 7 | Sam Cane | 68' |
| BF | 6 | Liam Squire | 58' |
| RL | 5 | Scott Barrett |
| LL | 4 | Sam Whitelock |
| TP | 3 | Owen Franks | 47' |
| HK | 2 | Codie Taylor | 75' |
| LP | 1 | Karl Tu’inukuafe | 58' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Liam Coltman | 75' |
| PR | 17 | Tim Perry | 58' |
| PR | 18 | Ofa Tu'ungafasi | 47' |
| LK | 19 | Patrick Tuipulotu | 58' |
| FL | 20 | Ardie Savea | 68' |
| SH | 21 | TJ Perenara | 49' |
| CE | 22 | Jack Goodhue | 58' |
| FH | 23 | Damian McKenzie | 58' |
| Coach: ||
| Steve Hansen ||
| FB | 15 | Willie le Roux |
| RW | 14 | Jesse Kriel |
| OC | 13 | Lukhanyo Am | 40' |
| IC | 12 | Damian de Allende | 47' |
| LW | 11 | Aphiwe Dyantyi |
| FH | 10 | Handré Pollard |
| SH | 9 | Faf de Klerk |
| N8 | 8 | Warren Whiteley |
| OF | 7 | Pieter-Steph du Toit |
| BF | 6 | Siya Kolisi (c) | 65' |
| RL | 5 | Franco Mostert |
| LL | 4 | Eben Etzebeth | 50' |
| TP | 3 | Frans Malherbe | 64' |
| HK | 2 | Malcolm Marx | 68' |
| LP | 1 | Steven Kitshoff | 65' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Bongi Mbonambi | 68' |
| PR | 17 | Tendai Mtawarira | 65' |
| PR | 18 | Wilco Louw | 64' |
| LK | 19 | RG Snyman | 50' |
| LK | 20 | Francois Louw | 65' |
| SH | 21 | Ross Cronjé |
| CE | 22 | Elton Jantjies | 47' |
| FB | 23 | Cheslin Kolbe | 40' |
| Coach: ||
| Rassie Erasmus ||
* Man of the Match:
* Handré Pollard (South Africa)
* Touch judges:
* Pascal Gaüzère (France)
* Nic Berry (Australia)
* Television match official:
* Rowan Kitt (England)
* South Africa recorded their first win against New Zealand in New Zealand since their 32–29 win in 2009.
* 15 September 2018 20:05 AEST (UTC+10)
| (1 BP) Australia | 19–23 | Argentina |
| Try: Genia 10' c Folau 18' c Haylett-Petty 54' m Con: To'omua (2/3) 11', 19' | Report | Try: Sánchez 14' c Delguy 35' c Con: Sánchez (2/2) 15', 36' Pen: Boffelli (2/2) 4', 76' Sánchez (1/1) 47' |
* Robina Stadium, Gold Coast Attendance: 16,019 Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)
| FB | 15 | Dane Haylett-Petty |
| RW | 14 | Israel Folau |
| OC | 13 | Reece Hodge |
| IC | 12 | Matt To'omua | 59' |
| LW | 11 | Marika Koroibete | 69' |
| FH | 10 | Kurtley Beale |
| SH | 9 | Will Genia | 69' |
| N8 | 8 | Pete Samu | 43' |
| OF | 7 | David Pocock (c) |
| BF | 6 | Lukhan Tui |
| RL | 5 | Izack Rodda | | 58' | 67' |
| LL | 4 | Rory Arnold | 46' | 58' | 67' |
| TP | 3 | Allan Alaalatoa | 29' to 36' | 29' to 36' | 52' |
| HK | 2 | Tatafu Polota-Nau | 40' |
| LP | 1 | Scott Sio | 58' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Folau Fainga'a | 40' |
| PR | 17 | Sekope Kepu | 58' |
| PR | 18 | Taniela Tupou | 29' | 36' | 52' |
| LK | 19 | Adam Coleman | 46' |
| FL | 20 | Ned Hanigan | 43' |
| SH | 21 | Nick Phipps | 69' |
| FH | 22 | Bernard Foley | 59' |
| WG | 23 | Jack Maddocks | 69' |
| Coach: ||
| Michael Cheika ||
| FB | 15 | Emiliano Boffelli |
| RW | 14 | Bautista Delguy |
| OC | 13 | Matías Moroni |
| IC | 12 | Jerónimo de la Fuente | 74' |
| LW | 11 | Ramiro Moyano | 32' |
| FH | 10 | Nicolás Sánchez |
| SH | 9 | Gonzalo Bertranou |
| N8 | 8 | Javier Ortega Desio |
| OF | 7 | Marcos Kremer | 67' |
| BF | 6 | Pablo Matera |
| RL | 5 | Tomás Lavanini | 24' | 32' |
| LL | 4 | Guido Petti | | | 69' |
| TP | 3 | Santiago Medrano | 67' |
| HK | 2 | Agustín Creevy (c) | 67' |
| LP | 1 | Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro | 67' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Julián Montoya | 67' |
| PR | 17 | Santiago García Botta | 67' |
| PR | 18 | Juan Pablo Zeiss | 67' |
| LK | 19 | Matías Alemanno | 24' | 32' | 69' |
| FL | 20 | Juan Manuel Leguizamón | 67' |
| SH | 21 | Martín Landajo |
| CE | 22 | Bautista Ezcurra | 32' |
| FB | 23 | Juan Cruz Mallia | 74' |
| Coach: ||
| Mario Ledesma ||
* Man of the Match:
* Nicolás Sánchez (Argentina)
* Touch judges:
* Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
* Paul Williams (New Zealand)
* Television match official:
* Glenn Newman (New Zealand)
Notes:
* Argentina recorded their first win against Australia in Australia since their 18–3 win in 1983.
* This win saw Argentina achieved two wins in a single Rugby Championship for the first time.
* With this loss (and South Africa's victory), Australia drops to a record low seventh place on the World Rugby Rankings.

### Round 5

* 29 September 2018 17:05 SAST (UTC+02)
| South Africa | 23–12 | Australia |
| Try: Dyantyi 1' c De Klerk 20' c Con: Pollard (2/2) 1', 21' Pen: Pollard (3/3) 33', 40', 45' | Report | Try: Hodge 25' m Genia 28' c Con: To'omua (1/2) 29' |
* Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth Attendance: 41,332 Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)
| FB | 15 | Willie le Roux |
| RW | 14 | Cheslin Kolbe |
| OC | 13 | Jesse Kriel |
| IC | 12 | André Esterhuizen |
| LW | 11 | Aphiwe Dyantyi | 64' to 74' |
| FH | 10 | Handré Pollard |
| SH | 9 | Faf de Klerk |
| N8 | 8 | Sikhumbuzo Notshe | | 44' |
| OF | 7 | Pieter-Steph du Toit |
| BF | 6 | Siya Kolisi (c) |
| RL | 5 | Franco Mostert |
| LL | 4 | Eben Etzebeth | | 76' |
| TP | 3 | Frans Malherbe | | 62' |
| HK | 2 | Malcolm Marx | | 69' |
| LP | 1 | Tendai Mtawarira | | 42' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Bongi Mbonambi | | 69' |
| PR | 17 | Steven Kitshoff | | 42' |
| PR | 18 | Wilco Louw | | 62' |
| LK | 19 | RG Snyman | | 76' |
| FL | 20 | Marco van Staden | | 44' |
| SH | 21 | Embrose Papier |
| FH | 22 | Elton Jantjies |
| FH | 23 | Damian Willemse |
| Coach: ||
| Rassie Erasmus ||
| FB | 15 | Dane Haylett-Petty |
| RW | 14 | Israel Folau |
| OC | 13 | Reece Hodge |
| IC | 12 | Matt To'omua |
| LW | 11 | Marika Koroibete | 31' |
| FH | 10 | Kurtley Beale |
| SH | 9 | Will Genia | 69' |
| N8 | 8 | David Pocock |
| OF | 7 | Michael Hooper (c) |
| BF | 6 | Ned Hanigan |
| LL | 5 | Adam Coleman | 69' |
| RL | 4 | Izack Rodda | 69' |
| TP | 3 | Taniela Tupou | 49' |
| HK | 2 | Folau Fainga'a | 62' |
| LP | 1 | Scott Sio | 49' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Brandon Paenga-Amosa | 62' |
| PR | 17 | Sekope Kepu | 49' |
| PR | 18 | Allan Alaalatoa | 49' |
| LK | 19 | Rory Arnold | 69' |
| LK | 20 | Rob Simmons | 69' |
| SH | 21 | Nick Phipps | 69' |
| FH | 22 | Bernard Foley | | 58' |
| WG | 23 | Jack Maddocks | 31' | 58' |
| Coach: ||
| Michael Cheika ||
* Man of the Match:
* Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa)
* Touch judges:
* Wayne Barnes (England)
* Matthew Carley (England)
* Television match official:
* Graham Hughes (England)
Notes:
* Scott Sio (Australia) earned his 50th test cap.
* 29 September 2018 19:40 AST (UTC-03)
| Argentina | 17–35 | New Zealand (1 BP) |
| Try: Cubelli 57' c Boffelli 67' c Con: Sánchez (2/2) 58', 67' Pen: Sánchez (1/1) 5' | Report | Try: Ioane (2) 7' c, 29' c Naholo 16' c Tuipulotu 54' c Lienert-Brown 72' c Con: B. Barrett (4/4) 8', 17' 31', 56' Mo'unga (1/1) 72' |
* José Amalfitani Stadium, Buenos Aires Attendance: 50,000 Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
| FB | 15 | Emiliano Boffelli |
| RW | 14 | Bautista Delguy | 33' |
| OC | 13 | Jerónimo de la Fuente |
| IC | 12 | Bautista Ezcurra | 62' |
| LW | 11 | Matías Moroni |
| FH | 10 | Nicolás Sánchez |
| SH | 9 | Gonzalo Bertranou | 50' |
| N8 | 8 | Javier Ortega Desio |
| OF | 7 | Marcos Kremer | 70' |
| BF | 6 | Pablo Matera |
| RL | 5 | Tomás Lavanini |
| LL | 4 | Guido Petti | 53' |
| TP | 3 | Ramiro Herrera | 53' |
| HK | 2 | Agustín Creevy (c) | 50' |
| LP | 1 | Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro | 57' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Julián Montoya | 50' |
| PR | 17 | Juan Pablo Zeiss | 57' |
| PR | 18 | Santiago Medrano | 53' |
| LK | 19 | Matías Alemanno | 53' |
| FL | 20 | Juan Manuel Leguizamón | 70' |
| SH | 21 | Tomás Cubelli | 50' |
| CE | 22 | Matías Orlando | 62' |
| WG | 23 | Sebastián Cancelliere | 33' |
| Coach: ||
| Mario Ledesma ||
| FB | 15 | Ben Smith | | 58' |
| RW | 14 | Waisake Naholo |
| OC | 13 | Ryan Crotty |
| IC | 12 | Sonny Bill Williams | 36' to 46' | 56' |
| LW | 11 | Rieko Ioane |
| FH | 10 | Beauden Barrett |
| SH | 9 | TJ Perenara | | 66' |
| N8 | 8 | Ardie Savea |
| OF | 7 | Sam Cane |
| BF | 6 | Shannon Frizell | | 66' |
| RL | 5 | Scott Barrett |
| LL | 4 | Sam Whitelock (c) | | 50' |
| TP | 3 | Ofa Tu'ungafasi | | 51' |
| HK | 2 | Codie Taylor | | 59' |
| LP | 1 | Karl Tu’inukuafe | | 56' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Nathan Harris | | 59' |
| PR | 17 | Tim Perry | | 56' |
| PR | 18 | Angus Ta'avao | | 51' |
| LK | 19 | Patrick Tuipulotu | | 50' |
| FL | 20 | Jackson Hemopo | | 66' |
| SH | 21 | Aaron Smith | | 66' |
| FH | 22 | Richie Mo'unga | | 58' |
| CE | 23 | Anton Lienert-Brown | | 56' |
| Coach: ||
| Steve Hansen ||
* Man of the Match:
* Ardie Savea (New Zealand)
* Touch judges:
* Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
* Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
* Television match official:
* David Grashoff (England)
Notes:
* Angus Ta'avao (New Zealand) made his international debut.
* TJ Perenara (New Zealand) earned his 50th test cap.

### Round 6

* 6 October 2018 17:05 SAST (UTC+02)
| (1 BP) South Africa | 30–32 | New Zealand |
| Try: Kriel 44' c De Allende 52' c Kolbe 59' c Con: Pollard (3/3) 45', 53', 60' Pen: Pollard (3/3) 4', 13', 48' | Report | Try: A. Smith 54' c Ioane 62' m S. Barrett 76' c Savea 79' c Con: Mo'unga (3/4) 55', 76', 80' Pen: B. Barrett (2/2) 26', 36' |
* Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria Attendance: 51,762 Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
| FB | 15 | Willie le Roux | 66' |
| RW | 14 | Cheslin Kolbe |
| OC | 13 | Jesse Kriel |
| IC | 12 | Damian de Allende | 78' |
| LW | 11 | Aphiwe Dyantyi |
| FH | 10 | Handré Pollard |
| SH | 9 | Faf de Klerk | 73' |
| N8 | 8 | Francois Louw | 70' |
| OF | 7 | Pieter-Steph du Toit |
| BF | 6 | Siya Kolisi (c) |
| RL | 5 | Franco Mostert |
| LL | 4 | Eben Etzebeth | 63' |
| TP | 3 | Frans Malherbe | 60' |
| HK | 2 | Malcolm Marx | 73' |
| LP | 1 | Steven Kitshoff | 74' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Bongi Mbonambi | 73' |
| PR | 17 | Tendai Mtawarira | 74' |
| PR | 18 | Vincent Koch | 60' |
| LK | 19 | RG Snyman | 63' |
| FL | 20 | Sikhumbuzo Notshe | 70' |
| SH | 21 | Embrose Papier | 73' |
| FH | 22 | Elton Jantjies | 78' |
| FH | 23 | Damian Willemse | 66' |
| Coach: ||
| Rassie Erasmus ||
| FB | 15 | Ben Smith |
| RW | 14 | Waisake Naholo | 51' |
| OC | 13 | Ryan Crotty |
| IC | 12 | Sonny Bill Williams | 60' |
| LW | 11 | Rieko Ioane |
| FH | 10 | Beauden Barrett |
| SH | 9 | Aaron Smith | 70' |
| N8 | 8 | Kieran Read (c) |
| OF | 7 | Sam Cane | 36' |
| BF | 6 | Shannon Frizell | 46' |
| RL | 5 | Scott Barrett |
| LL | 4 | Sam Whitelock |
| TP | 3 | Owen Franks | 46' |
| HK | 2 | Codie Taylor | 70' |
| LP | 1 | Karl Tu’inukuafe | 46' | 70' | 78' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Nathan Harris | 70' |
| PR | 17 | Tim Perry | 46' | 70' | 78' |
| PR | 18 | Ofa Tu'ungafasi | 46' |
| LK | 19 | Patrick Tuipulotu | 46' |
| FL | 20 | Ardie Savea | 36' |
| SH | 21 | TJ Perenara | 70' |
| FH | 22 | Richie Mo'unga | 51' |
| CE | 23 | Anton Lienert-Brown | 60' |
| Coach: ||
| Steve Hansen ||
* Man of the Match:
* Malcolm Marx (South Africa)
* Touch judges:
* Jérôme Garcès (France)
* Matthew Carley (England)
* Television match official:
* Graham Hughes (England)
Notes:
* Willie le Roux (South Africa) earned his 50th test cap.
* New Zealand retain the Freedom Cup.
* 6 October 2018 19:40 AST (UTC-03)
| Argentina | 34–45 | Australia |
| Try: Matera 2' c Boffelli 4' c Orlando 27' c Gonzalez Iglesias 31' c Con: Sánchez (3/3) 3', 5', 28' Gonzalez Iglesias (1/1) 32' Pen: Gonzalez Iglesias (2/2) 38', 61' | Report | Try: Hooper 14' c Rodda 44' c Folau 48' c Haylett-Petty (2) 51' c, 66' c Pocock 64' c Con: Foley (6/6) 15', 45', 49', 53', 65', 67' Pen: Foley (1/1) 75' |
* Estadio Padre Ernesto Martearena, Salta Attendance: 20,512 Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
| FB | 15 | Emiliano Boffelli |
| RW | 14 | Matías Moroni | 67' |
| OC | 13 | Matías Orlando |
| IC | 12 | Jerónimo de la Fuente |
| LW | 11 | Ramiro Moyano |
| FH | 10 | Nicolás Sánchez | 29' |
| SH | 9 | Gonzalo Bertranou | 59' |
| N8 | 8 | Javier Ortega Desio | 67' |
| OF | 7 | Marcos Kremer |
| BF | 6 | Pablo Matera |
| RL | 5 | Tomás Lavanini | 71' |
| LL | 4 | Guido Petti |
| TP | 3 | Ramiro Herrera | 52' |
| HK | 2 | Agustín Creevy (c) | 52' |
| LP | 1 | Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro | 67' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Julián Montoya | 52' |
| PR | 17 | Santiago García Botta | 67' |
| PR | 18 | Santiago Medrano | 52' |
| LK | 19 | Matías Alemanno | 71' |
| FL | 20 | Juan Manuel Leguizamón | 67' |
| SH | 21 | Tomás Cubelli | 59' |
| CE | 22 | Santiago González Iglesias | 29' |
| WG | 23 | Sebastián Cancelliere | 67' |
| Coach: ||
| Mario Ledesma ||
| FB | 15 | Dane Haylett-Petty |
| RW | 14 | Israel Folau |
| OC | 13 | Reece Hodge |
| IC | 12 | Kurtley Beale | | 75' |
| LW | 11 | Marika Koroibete |
| FH | 10 | Bernard Foley |
| SH | 9 | Will Genia | | 68' |
| N8 | 8 | David Pocock |
| OF | 7 | Michael Hooper (c) |
| BF | 6 | Ned Hanigan | | 78' |
| LL | 5 | Adam Coleman |
| RL | 4 | Izack Rodda | | 72' |
| TP | 3 | Taniela Tupou | | 41' |
| HK | 2 | Folau Fainga'a | | 41' | 78' |
| LP | 1 | Scott Sio | | 41' | 73' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Tolu Latu | 77' to 80' | 41' |
| PR | 17 | Sekope Kepu | | 41' | 73' |
| PR | 18 | Allan Alaalatoa | | 41' |
| LK | 19 | Rob Simmons | | 72' |
| N8 | 20 | Caleb Timu |
| SH | 21 | Nick Phipps | | 68' |
| FH | 22 | Matt To'omua | | 75' |
| FB | 23 | Tom Banks |
| Coach: ||
| Michael Cheika ||
* Man of the Match:
* Dane Haylett-Petty (Australia)
* Touch judges:
* Mathieu Raynal (France)
* Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
* Television match official:
* David Grashoff (England)
Notes:
* Matías Alemanno and Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro (both Argentina) made earned their 50th test cap.
* Australia retain the Puma Trophy.

## Squads

| Nation | Match venues | Match venues | Match venues | Head coach | Captain |
| Nation | Name | City | Capacity | Head coach | Captain |
| Argentina | José Amalfitani Stadium | Buenos Aires | 49,540 | Mario Ledesma | Agustín Creevy |
| Argentina | Estadio Malvinas Argentinas | Mendoza | 40,268 | Mario Ledesma | Agustín Creevy |
| Argentina | Estadio Padre Ernesto Martearena | Salta | 20,408 | Mario Ledesma | Agustín Creevy |
| Australia | Stadium Australia | Sydney | 83,500 | Michael Cheika | Michael Hooper David Pocock |
| Australia | Lang Park | Brisbane | 52,500 | Michael Cheika | Michael Hooper David Pocock |
| Australia | Robina Stadium | Gold Coast | 27,400 | Michael Cheika | Michael Hooper David Pocock |
| New Zealand | Eden Park | Auckland | 50,000 | Steve Hansen | Kieran Read |
| New Zealand | Wellington Regional Stadium | Wellington | 34,500 | Steve Hansen | Kieran Read |
| New Zealand | Trafalgar Park | Nelson | 18,000 | Steve Hansen | Kieran Read |
| South Africa | Kings Park Stadium | Durban | 52,000 | Rassie Erasmus | Siya Kolisi |
| South Africa | Loftus Versfeld Stadium | Pretoria | 51,762 | Rassie Erasmus | Siya Kolisi |
| South Africa | Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium | Port Elizabeth | 48,000 | Rassie Erasmus | Siya Kolisi |
Note: Ages, caps and clubs/franchises are of 18 August 2018 – the starting date of the tournament

### Argentina

On 6 August, newly appointed head coach Mario Ledesma named a 36-man squad for the Championship.
$^1$ Ahead of the traveling to South Africa for the opening match, Tomás Lezana joined the squad after recovering from injury.
$^2$ On 9 August, Juan Figallo became the first European based player to be selected for the national side since the 2015 World Cup, after a change of selection policy under Ledesma.
$^3$ On 19 August, Santiago Álvarez, Facundo Bosch and Santiago Carreras joined the ahead of the round 2 home clash against South Africa.
$^4$ On 27 August, Gaston Cortes joined the squad for the Oceania leg of the Championship in rounds 3 and 4.
$^5$ On 19 September, Ramiro Herrera, Matías Osadczuk, Lucas Paulos and Enrique Pieretto joined were added as part of the training squad ahead of the fifth round clash with New Zealand.
$^6$ On 24 September, Manuel Montero joined the squad as injury cover for Ramiro Moyano.
Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.
| Player | Position | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Club/province |
| Facundo Bosch $^3$ | Hooker | (1991-08-08)8 August 1991 (aged 27) | 0 | Agen |
| Agustín Creevy (c) | Hooker | (1985-03-15)15 March 1985 (aged 33) | 74 | Jaguares |
| Diego Fortuny | Hooker | (1991-09-27)27 September 1991 (aged 26) | 0 | Jaguares |
| Julián Montoya | Hooker | (1993-10-29)29 October 1993 (aged 24) | 44 | Jaguares |
| Marco Ciccioli | Prop | (1995-11-06)6 November 1995 (aged 22) | 0 | CASI |
| Gaston Cortes $^4$ | Prop | (1985-10-06)6 October 1985 (aged 32) | 4 | Leicester Tigers |
| Lucas Favre | Prop | (1996-11-20)20 November 1996 (aged 21) | 0 | Lomas |
| Juan Figallo $^2$ | Prop | (1988-03-25) 25 March 1988 (age 36) | 24 | Saracens |
| Santiago García Botta | Prop | (1992-06-19)19 June 1992 (aged 26) | 25 | Jaguares |
| Ramiro Herrera $^5$ | Prop | (1989-02-14)14 February 1989 (aged 29) | 37 | Stade Français |
| Santiago Medrano | Prop | (1996-05-06)6 May 1996 (aged 22) | 3 | Jaguares |
| Enrique Pieretto $^5$ | Prop | (1994-12-15)15 December 1994 (aged 23) | 24 | Jaguares |
| Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro | Prop | (1989-06-11)11 June 1989 (aged 29) | 44 | Jaguares |
| Mayco Vivas | Prop | (1998-06-02)2 June 1998 (aged 20) | 0 | Atlético del Rosario |
| Juan Pablo Zeiss | Prop | (1989-08-02)2 August 1989 (aged 29) | 0 | Los Matreros |
| Matías Alemanno | Lock | (1991-12-05)5 December 1991 (aged 26) | 44 | Jaguares |
| Ignacio Larrague | Lock | (1995-10-25)25 October 1995 (aged 22) | 2 | CASI |
| Tomás Lavanini | Lock | (1993-01-22)22 January 1993 (aged 25) | 41 | Jaguares |
| Franco Molina | Lock | (1997-08-28)28 August 1997 (aged 20) | 0 | Jockey Córdoba |
| Guido Petti | Lock | (1994-11-17)17 November 1994 (aged 23) | 36 | Jaguares |
| Lucas Paulos $^5$ | Lock | (1998-01-09)9 January 1998 (aged 20) | 0 | Olivos |
| Santiago Grondana | Flanker | (1998-07-25)25 July 1998 (aged 20) | 0 | Champagnat |
| Marcos Kremer | Flanker | (1997-07-30)30 July 1997 (aged 21) | 15 | Jaguares |
| Juan Manuel Leguizamón | Flanker | (1983-06-06)6 June 1983 (aged 35) | 82 | Jaguares |
| Pablo Matera | Flanker | (1993-07-18)18 July 1993 (aged 25) | 49 | Jaguares |
| Javier Ortega Desio | Flanker | (1990-06-14)14 June 1990 (aged 28) | 42 | Jaguares |
| Tomás Lezana $^1$ | Flanker | (1994-02-16)16 February 1994 (aged 24) | 24 | Jaguares |
| Rodrigo Bruni | Number 8 | (1993-09-03)3 September 1993 (aged 24) | 0 | San Luis |
| Gonzalo Bertranou | Scrum-half | (1993-12-31)31 December 1993 (aged 24) | 12 | Jaguares |
| Tomás Cubelli | Scrum-half | (1989-06-12)12 June 1989 (aged 29) | 63 | Jaguares |
| Martín Landajo | Scrum-half | (1988-06-14)14 June 1988 (aged 30) | 81 | Jaguares |
| Joaquín Díaz Bonilla | Fly-half | (1989-04-12)12 April 1989 (aged 29) | 0 | Jaguares |
| Nicolás Sánchez | Fly-half | (1988-10-26)26 October 1988 (aged 29) | 65 | Jaguares |
| Santiago Álvarez $^3$ | Centre | (1994-02-17)17 February 1994 (aged 24) | 0 | Jaguares |
| Jerónimo de la Fuente | Centre | (1991-02-24)24 February 1991 (aged 27) | 38 | Jaguares |
| Bautista Ezcurra | Centre | (1995-04-21)21 April 1995 (aged 23) | 1 | Jaguares |
| Santiago González Iglesias | Centre | (1988-06-16)16 June 1988 (aged 30) | 41 | Jaguares |
| Matías Moroni | Centre | (1991-03-29)29 March 1991 (aged 27) | 31 | Jaguares |
| Matías Orlando | Centre | (1991-11-14)14 November 1991 (aged 26) | 34 | Jaguares |
| Matías Osadczuk $^5$ | Centre | (1997-04-22)22 April 1997 (aged 21) | 0 | SITAS |
| Sebastián Cancelliere | Wing | (1993-09-17)17 September 1993 (aged 24) | 6 | Jaguares |
| Bautista Delguy | Wing | (1997-04-22)22 April 1997 (aged 21) | 3 | Jaguares |
| Manuel Montero $^6$ | Wing | (1991-11-20) 20 November 1991 (age 32) | 27 | Pucará |
| Ramiro Moyano | Wing | (1990-05-28)28 May 1990 (aged 28) | 22 | Jaguares |
| Emiliano Boffelli | Fullback | (1995-01-16)16 January 1995 (aged 23) | 14 | Jaguares |
| Santiago Carreras $^3$ | Fullback | (1998-03-30)30 March 1998 (aged 20) | 0 | Córdoba Athletic |
| Juan Cruz Mallia | Fullback | (1996-09-11)11 September 1996 (aged 21) | 1 | Jaguares |

### Australia

On 5 August, Michael Cheika named a 36-man extended squad ahead of the Championship.
$^1$ On 21 September, Jake Gordon and Angus Cottrell were added to the squad for the final two rounds of the Championship, with the latter replacing Lukhan Tui who withdrew from the squad for personal reasons.
| Player | Position | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Franchise/province |
| Folau Fainga'a | Hooker | (1995-05-05)5 May 1995 (aged 23) | 0 | Brumbies / Canberra Vikings |
| Tolu Latu | Hooker | (1993-02-23)23 February 1993 (aged 25) | 7 | Waratahs / NSW Country Eagles |
| Brandon Paenga-Amosa | Hooker | (1995-12-25)25 December 1995 (aged 22) | 3 | Queensland Reds / Brisbane City |
| Tatafu Polota-Nau | Hooker | (1985-07-26)26 July 1985 (aged 33) | 82 | Leicester Tigers |
| Jermaine Ainsley | Prop | (1995-08-08)8 August 1995 (aged 23) | 0 | Melbourne Rebels / Melbourne Rising |
| Allan Alaalatoa | Prop | (1994-01-28)28 January 1994 (aged 24) | 22 | Brumbies / Canberra Vikings |
| Sekope Kepu | Prop | (1986-02-05)5 February 1986 (aged 32) | 94 | Waratahs / Sydney Rays |
| Tom Robertson | Prop | (1994-08-28)28 August 1994 (aged 23) | 21 | Waratahs / NSW Country Eagles |
| Scott Sio | Prop | (1991-10-16)16 October 1991 (aged 26) | 46 | Brumbies / Canberra Vikings |
| Taniela Tupou | Prop | (1996-05-10)10 May 1996 (aged 22) | 4 | Queensland Reds / Queensland Country |
| Rory Arnold | Lock | (1990-07-01)1 July 1990 (aged 28) | 15 | Brumbies / Canberra Vikings |
| Adam Coleman | Lock | (1991-10-07)7 October 1991 (aged 26) | 23 | Melbourne Rebels / Melbourne Rising |
| Izack Rodda | Lock | (1996-08-20)20 August 1996 (aged 21) | 7 | Queensland Reds / Queensland Country |
| Rob Simmons | Lock | (1989-04-19)19 April 1989 (aged 29) | 85 | Waratahs / Sydney Rays |
| Lukhan Tui | Lock | (1996-09-19)19 September 1996 (aged 21) | 7 | Queensland Reds / Brisbane City |
| Angus Cottrell $^1$ | Flanker | (1989-11-20)20 November 1989 (aged 28) | 0 | Melbourne Rebels / Melbourne Rising |
| Ned Hanigan | Flanker | (1995-04-11)11 April 1995 (aged 23) | 13 | Waratahs / NSW Country Eagles |
| Michael Hooper (c) | Flanker | (1991-10-29)29 October 1991 (aged 26) | 82 | Waratahs / Sydney Rays |
| David Pocock | Flanker | (1988-04-23)23 April 1988 (aged 30) | 69 | Brumbies / Panasonic Wild Knights |
| Peter Samu | Flanker | (1991-12-17)17 December 1991 (aged 26) | 3 | Crusaders / Canberra Vikings |
| Caleb Timu | Number 8 | (1994-02-22)22 February 1994 (aged 24) | 2 | Queensland Reds / Queensland Country |
| Will Genia | Scrum-half | (1988-01-17)17 January 1988 (aged 30) | 90 | Melbourne Rebels / Melbourne Rising |
| Jake Gordon $^1$ | Scrum-half | (1993-07-06)6 July 1993 (aged 25) | 0 | Waratahs / NSW Country Eagles |
| Nick Phipps | Scrum-half | (1989-01-09)9 January 1989 (aged 29) | 64 | Waratahs / Sydney Rays |
| Joe Powell | Scrum-half | (1994-04-11)11 April 1994 (aged 24) | 4 | Brumbies / Canberra Vikings |
| Bernard Foley | Fly-half | (1989-09-08)8 September 1989 (aged 28) | 58 | Waratahs / NSW Country Eagles |
| Matt To'omua | Fly-half | (1990-01-02)2 January 1990 (aged 28) | 33 | Leicester Tigers |
| Kurtley Beale | Centre | (1989-01-06)6 January 1989 (aged 29) | 74 | Waratahs / Sydney Rays |
| Reece Hodge | Centre | (1994-08-26)26 August 1994 (aged 23) | 27 | Melbourne Rebels / Melbourne Rising |
| Bill Meakes | Centre | (1991-02-23)23 February 1991 (aged 27) | 0 | Melbourne Rebels / Melbourne Rising |
| Jordan Petaia | Centre | (2000-03-14)14 March 2000 (aged 18) | 0 | Queensland Reds / Queensland Country |
| Curtis Rona | Centre | (1992-05-26)26 May 1992 (aged 26) | 3 | Waratahs / Sydney Rays |
| Dane Haylett-Petty | Wing | (1989-06-18)18 June 1989 (aged 29) | 21 | Melbourne Rebels / Western Force |
| Marika Koroibete | Wing | (1992-07-26)26 July 1992 (aged 26) | 11 | Melbourne Rebels / Melbourne Rising |
| Jack Maddocks | Wing | (1997-02-05)5 February 1997 (aged 21) | 0 | Melbourne Rebels / Melbourne Rising |
| Sefa Naivalu | Wing | (1992-01-07)7 January 1992 (aged 26) | 7 | Melbourne Rebels / Melbourne Rising |
| Tom Banks | Fullback | (1994-06-18)18 June 1994 (aged 24) | 0 | Brumbies / Canberra Vikings |
| Israel Folau | Fullback | (1989-04-03)3 April 1989 (aged 29) | 65 | Waratahs / Sydney Rays |

### New Zealand

On 6 August 2018, Hansen named a 33-man squad ahead of the Championship.
Liam Coltman and Ngani Laumape were included in the squad as injury covers for Dane Coles and Sonny Bill Williams respectively.
$^1$ On 16 August, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, after being named in the match-day team for the opening round, was withdrawn due to injury and Jeffery Toomaga-Allen joined the squad as a precautionary injury cover.
$^2$ On 30 August, Angus Ta'avao joined the squad as an injury replacement for Joe Moody who was ruled out of the rest of the Championship.
$^3$ On 9 September, Patrick Tuipulotu joined the squad as an injury replacement for Brodie Retallick.
Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.
| Player | Position | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Club/province |
| Dane Coles | Hooker | (1986-12-10)10 December 1986 (aged 31) | 56 | Hurricanes / Wellington |
| Liam Coltman | Hooker | (1990-01-25)25 January 1990 (aged 28) | 2 | Highlanders / Otago |
| Nathan Harris | Hooker | (1992-03-08)8 March 1992 (aged 26) | 13 | Chiefs / Bay of Plenty |
| Codie Taylor | Hooker | (1991-03-31)31 March 1991 (aged 27) | 32 | Crusaders / Canterbury |
| Owen Franks | Prop | (1987-12-23)23 December 1987 (aged 30) | 98 | Crusaders / Canterbury |
| Joe Moody | Prop | (1988-09-18)18 September 1988 (aged 29) | 34 | Crusaders / Canterbury |
| Tim Perry | Prop | (1988-08-01)1 August 1988 (aged 30) | 0 | Crusaders / Tasman |
| Angus Ta'avao $^2$ | Prop | (1990-03-22)22 March 1990 (aged 28) | 0 | Chiefs / Taranaki |
| Jeffery Toomaga-Allen $^1$ | Prop | (1990-11-19)19 November 1990 (aged 27) | 1 | Hurricanes / Wellington |
| Karl Tu’inukuafe | Prop | (1993-02-21)21 February 1993 (aged 25) | 3 | Chiefs / North Harbour |
| Ofa Tu'ungafasi | Prop | (1992-04-19)19 April 1992 (aged 26) | 17 | Blues / Auckland |
| Scott Barrett | Lock | (1993-11-20)20 November 1993 (aged 24) | 19 | Crusaders / Taranaki |
| Brodie Retallick | Lock | (1991-05-31)31 May 1991 (aged 27) | 68 | Chiefs / Hawke's Bay |
| Patrick Tuipulotu $^3$ | Lock | (1993-01-23) 23 January 1993 (age 31) | 16 | Blues / Auckland |
| Sam Whitelock | Lock | (1988-10-12)12 October 1988 (aged 29) | 99 | Crusaders / Canterbury |
| Sam Cane | Flanker | (1992-01-13)13 January 1992 (aged 26) | 55 | Chiefs / Bay of Plenty |
| Shannon Frizell | Flanker | (1994-02-11)11 February 1994 (aged 24) | 1 | Highlanders / Tasman |
| Jackson Hemopo | Flanker | (1993-11-14)14 November 1993 (aged 24) | 1 | Highlanders / Manawatu |
| Ardie Savea | Flanker | (1993-10-14)14 October 1993 (aged 24) | 25 | Hurricanes / Wellington |
| Liam Squire | Flanker | (1991-03-20)20 March 1991 (aged 27) | 17 | Highlanders / Tasman |
| Kieran Read (c) | Number 8 | (1985-10-26)26 October 1985 (aged 32) | 109 | Crusaders / Counties Manukau |
| Luke Whitelock | Number 8 | (1991-01-29)29 January 1991 (aged 27) | 5 | Highlanders / Canterbury |
| TJ Perenara | Half-back | (1992-01-23)23 January 1992 (aged 26) | 45 | Hurricanes / Wellington |
| Aaron Smith | Half-back | (1988-11-21)21 November 1988 (aged 29) | 74 | Highlanders / Manawatu |
| Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi | Half-back | (1995-03-31)31 March 1995 (aged 23) | 0 | Chiefs / Taranaki |
| Beauden Barrett | First five-eighth | (1991-05-27)27 May 1991 (aged 27) | 64 | Hurricanes / Taranaki |
| Damian McKenzie | First five-eighth | (1995-04-25)25 April 1995 (aged 23) | 15 | Chiefs / Waikato |
| Richie Mo'unga | First five-eighth | (1994-05-25)25 May 1994 (aged 24) | 1 | Crusaders / Canterbury |
| Ryan Crotty | Centre | (1988-09-23)23 September 1988 (aged 29) | 37 | Crusaders / Canterbury |
| Jack Goodhue | Centre | (1995-07-13)13 July 1995 (aged 23) | 1 | Crusaders / Northland |
| Ngani Laumape | Centre | (1993-04-22)22 April 1993 (aged 25) | 6 | Hurricanes / Manawatu |
| Anton Lienert-Brown | Centre | (1995-04-15)15 April 1995 (aged 23) | 24 | Chiefs / Waikato |
| Sonny Bill Williams | Centre | (1985-08-03)3 August 1985 (aged 33) | 47 | Blues / Counties Manukau |
| Rieko Ioane | Wing | (1997-03-18)18 March 1997 (aged 21) | 16 | Blues / Auckland |
| Nehe Milner-Skudder | Wing | (1990-12-15)15 December 1990 (aged 27) | 11 | Hurricanes / Manawatu |
| Waisake Naholo | Wing | (1991-05-08)8 May 1991 (aged 27) | 19 | Highlanders / Taranaki |
| Jordie Barrett | Fullback | (1997-02-17)17 February 1997 (aged 21) | 5 | Hurricanes / Taranaki |
| Ben Smith | Fullback | (1986-06-01)1 June 1986 (aged 32) | 67 | Highlanders / Otago |

### South Africa

On 26 May 2018, head coach Rassie Erasmus named the following 35-man squad for South Africa's Rugby Championship campaign:
Cyle Brink withdrew from the squad on 16 August 2018 after sustaining a knee injury in training. He was not replaced.
$^1$ On 31 August, Schalk Brits, Damian de Allende and Cheslin Kolbe were added to the squad ahead of the Australasian leg of the Championship in rounds 3 and 4.
$^2$ On 23 September, Vincent Koch, Ruhan Nel and S'busiso Nkosi were added to the squad ahead of round 5 and 6.
| Player | Position | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Club/province |
| Schalk Brits $^1$ | Hooker | (1981-05-16)16 May 1981 (aged 37) | 11 | Unattached |
| Malcolm Marx | Hooker | (1994-07-13)13 July 1994 (aged 24) | 14 | Lions |
| Bongi Mbonambi | Hooker | (1991-01-07)7 January 1991 (aged 27) | 16 | Stormers |
| Akker van der Merwe | Hooker | (1991-06-17)17 June 1991 (aged 27) | 3 | Sharks |
| Thomas du Toit | Prop | (1995-05-05)5 May 1995 (aged 23) | 4 | Sharks |
| Steven Kitshoff | Prop | (1992-02-10)10 February 1992 (aged 26) | 27 | Stormers |
| Vincent Koch $^2$ | Prop | (1990-03-13)13 March 1990 (aged 28) | 9 | Saracens |
| Wilco Louw | Prop | (1994-07-20)20 July 1994 (aged 24) | 7 | Stormers |
| Frans Malherbe | Prop | (1991-03-14)14 March 1991 (aged 27) | 19 | Stormers |
| Tendai Mtawarira | Prop | (1985-08-01)1 August 1985 (aged 33) | 101 | Sharks |
| Pieter-Steph du Toit | Lock | (1992-08-20)20 August 1992 (aged 25) | 36 | Stormers |
| Eben Etzebeth | Lock | (1991-10-29)29 October 1991 (aged 26) | 67 | Stormers |
| Franco Mostert | Lock | (1990-11-27)27 November 1990 (aged 27) | 21 | Lions |
| Marvin Orie | Lock | (1993-02-15)15 February 1993 (aged 25) | 1 | Lions |
| RG Snyman | Lock | (1995-01-29)29 January 1995 (aged 23) | 3 | Bulls |
| Cyle Brink | Flanker | (1994-01-16)16 January 1994 (aged 24) | 0 | Lions |
| Jean-Luc du Preez | Flanker | (1995-08-05)5 August 1995 (aged 23) | 13 | Sharks |
| Siya Kolisi (c) | Flanker | (1991-06-16)16 June 1991 (aged 27) | 31 | Stormers |
| Francois Louw | Flanker | (1985-06-15)15 June 1985 (aged 33) | 57 | Bath |
| Sikhumbuzo Notshe | Flanker | (1993-05-28)28 May 1993 (aged 25) | 4 | Stormers |
| Marco van Staden | Flanker | (1995-08-25)25 August 1995 (aged 22) | 0 | Bulls |
| Warren Whiteley | Number 8 | (1987-09-18)18 September 1987 (aged 30) | 17 | Lions |
| Ross Cronjé | Scrum-half | (1989-07-26)26 July 1989 (aged 29) | 10 | Lions |
| Faf de Klerk | Scrum-half | (1991-10-19)19 October 1991 (aged 26) | 14 | Sale Sharks |
| Embrose Papier | Scrum-half | (1997-04-25)25 April 1997 (aged 21) | 2 | Bulls |
| Ivan van Zyl | Scrum-half | (1995-06-30)30 June 1995 (aged 23) | 3 | Bulls |
| Elton Jantjies | Fly-half | (1990-08-01)1 August 1990 (aged 28) | 26 | Lions |
| Handré Pollard | Fly-half | (1994-03-11)11 March 1994 (aged 24) | 29 | Bulls |
| Damian Willemse | Fly-half | (1998-05-07)7 May 1998 (aged 20) | 0 | Stormers |
| Lukhanyo Am | Centre | (1993-11-28)28 November 1993 (aged 24) | 3 | Sharks |
| Damian de Allende $^1$ | Centre | (1991-11-25)25 November 1991 (aged 26) | 30 | Western Province |
| André Esterhuizen | Centre | (1994-03-30)30 March 1994 (aged 24) | 2 | Sharks |
| Jesse Kriel | Centre | (1994-02-15)15 February 1994 (aged 24) | 32 | Bulls |
| Lionel Mapoe | Centre | (1988-07-13)13 July 1988 (aged 30) | 12 | Lions |
| Ruhan Nel $^2$ | Centre | (1991-05-17)17 May 1991 (aged 27) | 0 | Western Province |
| Aphiwe Dyantyi | Wing | (1994-08-26)26 August 1994 (aged 23) | 3 | Lions |
| Makazole Mapimpi | Wing | (1990-07-26)26 July 1990 (aged 28) | 1 | Sharks |
| Lwazi Mvovo | Wing | (1986-06-03)3 June 1986 (aged 32) | 17 | Sharks |
| S'busiso Nkosi $^2$ | Wing | (1996-01-21)21 January 1996 (aged 22) | 3 | Sharks |
| Cheslin Kolbe $^1$ | Fullback | (1993-10-28)28 October 1993 (aged 24) | 0 | Toulouse |
| Willie le Roux | Fullback | (1989-08-18)18 August 1989 (aged 29) | 44 | Wasps |