Scottish rugby fans have plenty to look forward to this summer as the fixtures for the Southern Hemisphere leg of the new Nations Championship were unveiled today. The tournament, which brings together 12 of the world’s elite rugby nations, promises a fresh era of international competition, pitting Northern and Southern Hemisphere teams against each other in a high-stakes format.
The Nations Championship divides the participating teams into two hemispheric pools, with each side playing six cross-hemisphere matches across the year – three in the July Southern Series and three in the November Northern Series. Accumulated points from these encounters will decide the group leaders, culminating in a thrilling Finals Weekend in London at Allianz Stadium, where the top teams from each hemisphere battle for the crown in double-header clashes.
For Scotland, the July itinerary kicks off with a challenging trip to South America, facing Argentina on Saturday, July 4, at the Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes in Córdoba. It’s a venue with fond memories for the Scots, who last visited in 2014 and edged out a narrow 21-19 victory. A week later, on July 11, Gregor Townsend’s squad heads to South Africa for a showdown against the Springboks at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria – a stadium that hosted matches during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, but one where Scotland has yet to play the hosts. The last encounter between the two in South Africa dates back to 2014, when the Boks dominated 55-6 in Port Elizabeth.
The Southern leg wraps up closer to home on July 18, with Scotland hosting Fiji at Scottish Gas Murrayfield in Edinburgh. Interestingly, this match is designated as a home fixture for the Pacific Islanders, who will also play ‘home’ games against England in Liverpool and Wales in Cardiff as part of their series.
This announcement marks a significant step in the rollout of the Nations Championship, designed to elevate global rugby by creating more regular, meaningful fixtures between the hemispheres. Scottish Rugby has confirmed that ticketing details for the away matches in Argentina and South Africa will be released in the coming weeks, while the Fiji clash at Murrayfield is already included in the 2026/27 Season Pass.
As preparations ramp up, Scotland’s players and coaching staff will be eyeing these July tests as crucial building blocks toward a strong tournament campaign. With a mix of tough away battles and a familiar home turf advantage – even if nominally for the opposition – the stage is set for an exciting chapter in Scottish rugby history. Stay tuned for more updates as the full Northern Hemisphere schedule is expected soon.
