Boks return to Buenos Aires

The Springboks will return to Buenos Aires for the first time in 10 years, when they face Argentina in a special round of matches in preparation for the World Cup.

The encounter is a special round of matches that will follow the Rugby Championship.

With the 2015 World Cup looming large, the four Rugby Championship teams will play an additional round of matches on Saturday 15 August - following the conclusion of the competition a week earlier.

This round will see New Zealand host Australia in Auckland, while South Africa will battle it out with Argentina in Buenos Aires - a venue they last visited in 2005, when they defeated Argentina 34-23.

The venue in Buenos Aires and kick-off time of the match will be announced in due course.

Meanwhile, the Springboks will begin their Rugby Championship campaign against Australia in Brisbane on Saturday, July 18.

They then return to South Africa for back-to-back Tests against New Zealand and Argentina respectively in Johannesburg on July 25 and in Durban on August 8.

New Zealand and Australia will kick off the condensed tournament in Christchurch on Friday, July 17, while the clash between South Africa and Argentina in Durban will conclude the tournament.

Each team will face each other only once in this format, with the winner crowned following the match in Durban.

The Rugby Championship will commence a fortnight after the Super Rugby Final on July 4, with the last round of matches concluding on August 15, giving teams just over a month before launching their World Cup campaigns.

Rugby Championship fixtures

Friday, July 17:

New Zealand v Argentina - AMI Stadium, Christchurch (19.35; 04.35 Arg time; 07.35 GMT)

Saturday, July 18:

Australia v South Africa - Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (20.05; 12.05 SA time; 10.05 GMT)

Saturday, July 25:

South Africa v New Zealand - Ellis Park, Johannesburg (17.05; 03.05, Sunday, July 26 NZ time; 15.05 GMT)

Argentina v Australia - Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza (19.40; 08.40, Sunday, July 26 AEST; 22.40 GMT)

Saturday, August 8:

Australia v New Zealand - ANZ Stadium, Sydney (20.05; 22.05 NZ time; 10.05 GMT)

South Africa v Argentina - King's Park, Durban (17.05; 12.05 Arg time; 15.05 GMT)

Additional week of International matches:

Saturday August 15:

New Zealand v Australia - Eden Park, Auckland (19.35; 17.35 AEST; 07.35 GMT)

Argentina v South Africa - Buenos Aires, Stadium TBC (kick-off TBC)