2021 Rugby Championship
The 2021 Rugby Championship was the ninth edition of the annual southern hemisphere competition, involving Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The Springboks returned to the tournament after a year out in 2020 due to South African government travel restrictions and player welfare and safety concerns related to COVID-19. The tournament returned to its normal window of August, kicking-off on 14 August and concluding on 2 October. With continued restrictions relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the tournament was staged in Australia and New Zealand, with South Africa also hosting two games - their two  matches against Argentina in the opening two rounds. The competition was operated by SANZAAR, a joint venture of the four countries' national unions, and known for sponsorship reasons as "The Castle Rugby Championship" in South Africa, "The Fortinet Rugby Championship" in New Zealand, "The eToro Rugby Championship" in Australia, and "The Zurich Rugby Championship" in Argentina. On 3 August, the original schedule was altered due to travel restrictions imposed in New Zealand, meaning the first and second tests between Australia and New Zealand (Bledisloe 2 & 3) were reversed and rearranged, and New Zealand would play at Eden Park instead of  Sky Stadium. The restrictions also meant that New Zealand would not host their tests against Argentina, and are now set to be played in Australia. The 2021 Rugby Championship became the first international competition to include the new World Rugby global rugby laws trials, designed to support the priority mission of head impact reduction and potential welfare advancements across the game. For some of the law adaptions, they had previously been trialed at Super Rugby level in Australia and New Zealand; the goal-line drop out and the 50:22, whilst the others are new to help reduce injury risk at  the breakdown. In addition, outside the World Rugby global law trials, this years Rugby Championship will also trial a 20-minute red card which like the goal-line drop out and 50:22, had been used in Australia and New Zealand respective Super Rugby tournaments. On 24 August, it was announced that all games in Rounds 3-6 would be hosted in Queensland, Australia. This came after COVID restrictions in New Zealand meant South Africa (and Argentina who were already set to play the All Blacks at a neutral venue) were unable to travel to New Zealand. In addition, due to  the uncertainty over the original scheduled for the Championship, the All Blacks also delayed their travel to Australia for their round 2 clash in Perth. The championship was won by New Zealand after the 19-17 win against South Africa on 25 September. Fixtures. Round 1. Notes: Notes: Round 2. Notes: Notes: Round 3. Notes: Notes: Round 4. Notes: Notes: Round 5. Notes: Notes: Round 6. Notes: Notes: Squads. Note: Ages, caps and clubs/franchises are of 14 August 2021 – the starting date of the tournament Argentina. On 29 July, Argentina announced a 47-man roster for the 2021 Rugby  Championship. On 30 September, Pablo Matera, Sebastián Cancelliere, Joaquín Díaz Bonilla, Felipe Ezcurra, Santiago Medrano and Santiago Socino were expelled from the tournament for breaching COVID-19 protocols. Australia. On 25 July, Australia named a 42-man Wallabies squad for the 2021 Rugby Championship. On 26 July, Quade Cooper was a late addition to the squad. On 10 August, Samu Kerevi was added to the squad to be available for selection ahead of Australia's second round match (Bledisloe 3) against New Zealand in Perth. New Zealand. The All Blacks 36-man squad for the 2021 Rugby Championship was named on  19 July. South Africa. On 8 August 2021, a 42-man squad for the 2021 Rugby Championship was announced. On 15 August, Jean-Luc du Preez was recalled to the squad