SANZAAR reveals Rugby Champs schedule

CONFIRMED: SANZAAR revealed the abbreviated six-match schedule for this year's Rugby Championship including all match venues and kick-off times.

As it is a Rugby World Cup year (the tournament kicks-off in Tokyo on September 20) The Rugby Championship is shortened to a three-round, six-match tournament from the traditional six-round, 12-match tournament with each team playing each other home or away this year.

Furthermore with Super Rugby now playing unbroken for 21 weeks, without the previous June break for inbound Test matches, The Rugby Championship kicks-off earlier on Saturday July 20.

The first match sees Argentina host New Zealand in Buenos Aires. In Round Three The Rugby Championship will return to Perth but a new venue as Optus Stadium will host the Wallabies versus All Blacks Test.

While South African will travel to Wellington to take on New Zealand in Round two and the final match will see Argentina host South Africa in Salta.

An additional round of matches will be played on the weekend of August 17 to allow a further home match for New Zealand and South Africa, and as further preparation for Rugby World Cup.