2015 Rugby Championship
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The 2015 Rugby Championship was the fourth edition of the expanded annual southern hemisphere Rugby Championship consisting of Argentina, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.
The 2015 Championship was a shorter competition than normal, with each team playing each other once, rather than twice (home and away). This was so that teams had a longer preparation time ahead of the 2015 Rugby World Cup which started on 18 September. However, New Zealand hosted an additional match against Australia in Auckland on 15 August which acted as the second Bledisloe Cup test and as a World Cup warm-up. Argentina hosted a second match against South Africa on the same date.
The tournament was known for sponsorship reasons as The Castle Rugby Championship in South Africa, The Investec Rugby Championship in New Zealand, The Castrol Edge Rugby Championship in Australia and The Personal Rugby Championship in Argentina.
Australia won the Championship, becoming just the second team to win the tournament since 2012. However, including the previous format of the Championship, Australia claimed the title for the first time since 2011, and achieved a 100% win rate for the first time ever in either format.
South Africa finished bottom of the table. This was also the first ever year that South Africa failed to record a single win in either the Rugby Championship or Tri Nations Series.
Standings
| Place | Nation | Games | Points | Try Bonus | Losing Bonus | Table points | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | For | Against | Diff | |||||
| 1 | Australia | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 85 | 48 | +37 | 1 | 0 | 13 |
| 2 | New Zealand | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 85 | 65 | +20 | 1 | 0 | 9 |
| 3 | Argentina | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 64 | 98 | –34 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| 4 | South Africa | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 65 | 88 | –23 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
Fixtures
Week 1
| (1 BP) New Zealand | 39–18 | Argentina |
| Try: McCaw 20' m Nonu 40' c Piutau 42' c Read 48' c Taylor 71 c Con: Carter (4/5) 40', 44', 49', 73' Pen: Carter (2/4) 5', 16' | Report | Try: Creevy (2) 55' m, 61' c Con: Sánchez (1/2) 61' Pen: Sánchez (2/3) 12', 33' |
| Rugby League Park, Christchurch Attendance: 17,512 Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa) |
| Touch judges: Angus Gardner (Australia) Stuart Berry (South Africa) Television match official: George Ayoub (Australia) |
Notes:
- Waisake Naholo and Codie Taylor made their international debuts for New Zealand.
| Australia | 24–20 | South Africa (1 BP) |
| Try: Ashley-Cooper 32' c Hooper 73' c Kuridrani 80' c Con: Cooper (2/2) 33', 74' Giteau (1/1) 80' Pen: Cooper (1/3) 54' | Report | Try: Etzebeth 37' c Kriel 44' c Con: Pollard (2/2) 39', 45' Pen: Pollard (2/3) 15', 25' |
| Lang Park, Brisbane Attendance: 37,633 Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales) |
| Man of the Match: Michael Hooper (Australia)Touch judges: Glen Jackson (New Zealand) Mike Fraser (New Zealand) Television match official: Ben Skeen (New Zealand) |
Notes:
- Jesse Kriel made his international debut for South Africa.
- Matt Giteau, being named in the starting XV, became the first overseas based player to play for the Wallabies, by virtue of their new selection policy. Drew Mitchell also based overseas, played off the bench.
- Australia won the Mandela Challenge Plate for the first time since 2012.
- Australia earned their first ever opening fixture of the Rugby Championship.
Week 2
| (1 BP) South Africa | 20–27 | New Zealand |
| Try: Le Roux 9' c Kriel 45' c Con: Pollard (2/2) 10', 46' Pen: Pollard (2/3) 20', 56' | Report | Try: B. Smith 39' c Coles 48' c McCaw 73' c Con: Sopoaga (3/3) 40', 49', 74' Pen: Sopoaga (2/4) 2', 80' |
| Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg Attendance: 62,000 Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France) |
| Man of the Match: Charles Piutau (New Zealand)Touch judges: Romain Poite (France) Leighton Hodges (Wales) Television match official: Graham Hughes (England) |
Notes:
- Vincent Koch and Lionel Mapoe made their international debuts for South Africa.
- James Broadhurst and Lima Sopoaga made their international debuts for New Zealand.
- New Zealand retain the Freedom Cup.
- With this loss, South Africa lose three consecutive matches for the first time since 2011.
| Argentina | 9–34 | Australia (1 BP) |
| Pen: Sánchez (3/3) 29', 40', 57' | Report | Try: Tomane 16' m Mumm 58' m Kuridrani 77' c Ashley-Cooper 78' m Con: Foley (1/4) 77' Pen: Foley (4/5) 39', 42', 53', 69' |
| Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza Attendance: 25,000 Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa) |
| Man of the Match: David Pocock (Australia)Touch judges: Chris Pollock (New Zealand) Stuart Berry (South Africa) Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa) |
Notes:
- Juan Pablo Socino made his international debut for Argentina.
- Kurtley Beale earned his 50th test cap for Australia.
- Australia win the Puma Trophy.
- With this win, Australia went top of the Rugby Championship table for the first ever time.
Week 3
| Australia | 27–19 | New Zealand |
| Try: Kepu 43' c Ashley-Cooper 60' c White 71' c Con: Giteau (2/2) 44', 61' White (1/1) 73' Pen: Giteau (1/2) 26' White (1/1) 68' | Report | Try: Milner-Skudder (2) 55' m, 64' m Pen: Carter (3/3) 8', 29', 50' |
| Stadium Australia, Sydney Attendance: 73,824 Referee: Wayne Barnes (England) |
| Man of the Match: Michael Hooper (Australia)Touch judges: Nigel Owens (Wales) Federico Anselmi (Argentina) Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa) |
Notes:
- Nehe Milner-Skudder made his international debut for New Zealand.
- Richie McCaw equalled Brian O'Driscoll's 141-cap record, as the most capped rugby player ever.
- Australia beat New Zealand for the first time since their 25–20 win in 2011, while earning their first win at Stadium Australia since 2011.
- New Zealand lose their first ever match in the Rugby Championship without claiming a losing bonus point; their last was during the 2011 Tri Nations Series.
| South Africa | 25–37 | Argentina (1 BP) |
| Try: De Jager 35' c Le Roux 48' c Habana 78' m Con: Pollard (2/2) 36', 49' Pen: Pollard (2/2) 9', 28' | Report | Try: Bosch 1' c Imhoff (3) 22' c, 30' c, 41' c Con: Hernández (4/4) 2', 23', 32', 42' Pen: Hernández (1/3) 37' Bosch (1/1) 39' Drop: Bosch (1/1) 62' |
| Kings Park Stadium, Durban Attendance: 27,447 Referee: Romain Poite (France) |
| Man of the Match: Juan Imhoff (Argentina)Touch judges: JP Doyle (England) Marius Mitrea (Italy) Television match official: Ben Skeen (New Zealand) |
Notes:
- This was Argentina's first ever win over South Africa.
- Argentina claim their first ever bonus point victory, and their first away victory, since joining the Rugby Championship in 2012.
- With this loss, South Africa lost consecutive home Test matches for the first time since 2010–11; and lost four consecutive Test matches for the first time since 2010.
- Juan Imhoff scored Argentina's first hat-trick of tries in the Rugby Championship; and the first hat-trick by any player in the tournament since Israel Folau scored three for Australia against Argentina in 2013.
Squads
Summary
Note: Ages, caps and domestic side are of 17 July 2015 – the starting date of the tournament.
Argentina
Argentina's 36-man squad for the Championship, was announced on 26 June 2015.
On 29 March, Juan Pablo Orlandi was called up to the squad to replace the injured Ramiro Herrera.
Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.
| Player | Position | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Club/province |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agustín Creevy (c) | Hooker | (1985-03-15)15 March 1985 (aged 30) | 36 | Argentina UAR |
| Santiago Iglesias Valdez | Hooker | (1993-05-26)26 May 1993 (aged 22) | 10 | Argentina UAR |
| Julián Montoya | Hooker | (1993-10-29)29 October 1993 (aged 21) | 6 | Argentina UAR |
| Marcos Ayerza | Prop | (1983-01-12)12 January 1983 (aged 32) | 57 | England Leicester Tigers |
| Matías Díaz | Prop | (1993-03-16)16 March 1993 (aged 22) | 9 | Argentina UAR |
| Juan Figallo | Prop | (1988-03-25)25 March 1988 (aged 27) | 22 | England Saracens |
| Ramiro Herrera | Prop | (1989-02-14)14 February 1989 (aged 26) | 11 | Argentina UAR |
| Lucas Noguera Paz | Prop | (1993-05-10)10 May 1993 (aged 22) | 13 | Argentina UAR |
| Juan Pablo Orlandi | Prop | (1983-06-20)20 June 1983 (aged 32) | 15 | Unattached |
| Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro | Prop | (1989-11-06)6 November 1989 (aged 25) | 16 | Argentina UAR |
| Matías Alemanno | Lock | (1991-12-05)5 December 1991 (aged 23) | 11 | Argentina UAR |
| Manuel Carizza | Lock | (1984-08-23)23 August 1984 (aged 30) | 44 | France Racing 92 |
| Tomás Lavanini | Lock | (1993-01-22)22 January 1993 (aged 22) | 18 | Unattached |
| Guido Petti | Lock | (1994-11-17)17 November 1994 (aged 20) | 4 | Argentina UAR |
| Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe | Flanker | (1981-11-19)19 November 1981 (aged 33) | 61 | France Toulon |
| Juan Manuel Leguizamón | Flanker | (1983-06-06)6 June 1983 (aged 32) | 59 | Unattached |
| Tomás Lezana | Flanker | (1994-02-16)16 February 1994 (aged 21) | 3 | Argentina UAR |
| Pablo Matera | Flanker | (1993-07-18)18 July 1993 (aged 21) | 14 | Argentina UAR |
| Javier Ortega Desio | Flanker | (1990-06-14)14 June 1990 (aged 25) | 14 | Argentina UAR |
| Facundo Isa | Number 8 | (1993-09-21)21 September 1993 (aged 21) | 5 | Argentina UAR |
| Benjamín Macome | Number 8 | (1986-01-10)10 January 1986 (aged 29) | 21 | France Bayonne |
| Leonardo Senatore | Number 8 | (1984-05-13)13 May 1984 (aged 31) | 29 | Unattached |
| Tomás Cubelli | Scrum-half | (1989-06-12)12 June 1989 (aged 26) | 34 | Argentina UAR |
| Felipe Ezcurra | Scrum-half | (1993-04-15)15 April 1993 (aged 22) | 2 | Argentina Hindú |
| Martín Landajo | Scrum-half | (1988-06-14)14 June 1988 (aged 27) | 42 | Argentina UAR |
| Santiago González Iglesias | Fly-half | (1988-06-16)16 June 1988 (aged 27) | 14 | Argentina UAR |
| Nicolás Sánchez | Fly-half | (1988-10-26)26 October 1988 (aged 26) | 30 | Argentina UAR |
| Juan Pablo Socino | Fly-half | (1988-05-30)30 May 1988 (aged 27) | 0 | England Newcastle Falcons |
| Marcelo Bosch | Centre | (1984-01-07)7 January 1984 (aged 31) | 33 | England Saracens |
| Jerónimo de la Fuente | Centre | (1991-02-24)24 February 1991 (aged 24) | 11 | Argentina UAR |
| Juan Martín Hernández | Centre | (1982-08-07)7 August 1982 (aged 32) | 52 | Unattached |
| Matías Moroni | Centre | (1991-03-29)29 March 1991 (aged 24) | 2 | Argentina UAR |
| Horacio Agulla | Wing | (1984-10-22)22 October 1984 (aged 30) | 58 | England Bath |
| Gonzalo Camacho | Wing | (1984-08-28)28 August 1984 (aged 30) | 23 | England Leicester Tigers |
| Santiago Cordero | Wing | (1993-12-06)6 December 1993 (aged 21) | 9 | Argentina UAR |
| Juan Imhoff | Wing | (1988-05-11)11 May 1988 (aged 27) | 26 | France Racing 92 |
| Lucas González Amorosino | Fullback | (1985-11-02)2 November 1985 (aged 29) | 40 | Unattached |
| Joaquín Tuculet | Fullback | (1989-08-08)8 August 1989 (aged 25) | 20 | Argentina UAR |
Australia
On 2 July 2015, Michael Cheika named an extended 40-man squad for the 2015 Rugby Championship. The squad included newly eligible players Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchel, both based at Toulon, France, and uncapped Fijian duo Samu Kerevi and Taqele Naiyaravoro who are eligible through residency.
On 5 July, Henry Speight withdrew from the squad due to compassionate leave, and he was replaced with Nick Cummins.
Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.
| Player | Position | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Club/province |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Hanson | Hooker | (1988-09-15)15 September 1988 (aged 26) | 9 | Australia Reds |
| Stephen Moore (c) | Hooker | (1983-01-20)20 January 1983 (aged 32) | 92 | Australia Brumbies |
| Tatafu Polota-Nau | Hooker | (1985-07-26)26 July 1985 (aged 29) | 50 | Australia Waratahs |
| Tetera Faulkner | Prop | (1988-07-26)26 July 1988 (aged 26) | 2 | Australia Force |
| Greg Holmes | Prop | (1983-06-11)11 June 1983 (aged 32) | 13 | Australia Reds |
| Sekope Kepu | Prop | (1986-02-05)5 February 1986 (aged 29) | 52 | Australia Waratahs |
| Scott Sio | Prop | (1991-10-16)16 October 1991 (aged 23) | 5 | Australia Brumbies |
| James Slipper | Prop | (1989-06-06)6 June 1989 (aged 26) | 63 | Australia Reds |
| Toby Smith | Prop | (1988-10-10)10 October 1988 (aged 26) | 0 | Australia Rebels |
| Rory Arnold | Lock | (1990-07-01)1 July 1990 (aged 25) | 0 | Australia Brumbies |
| Dave Dennis | Lock | (1986-01-10)10 January 1986 (aged 29) | 18 | Australia Waratahs |
| James Horwill | Lock | (1985-05-29)29 May 1985 (aged 30) | 58 | Australia Reds |
| Dean Mumm | Lock | (1984-03-05)5 March 1984 (aged 31) | 33 | Australia Waratahs |
| Rob Simmons | Lock | (1989-04-19)19 April 1989 (aged 26) | 50 | Australia Reds |
| Will Skelton | Lock | (1992-05-03)3 May 1992 (aged 23) | 8 | Australia Waratahs |
| Scott Fardy | Flanker | (1984-07-05)5 July 1984 (aged 31) | 20 | Australia Brumbies |
| Michael Hooper | Flanker | (1991-10-29)29 October 1991 (aged 23) | 42 | Australia Waratahs |
| Sean McMahon | Flanker | (1994-06-18)18 June 1994 (aged 21) | 3 | Australia Rebels |
| David Pocock | Flanker | (1988-04-23)23 April 1988 (aged 27) | 46 | Australia Brumbies |
| Scott Higginbotham | Number 8 | (1986-09-05)5 September 1986 (aged 28) | 31 | Australia Rebels |
| Ben McCalman | Number 8 | (1988-03-18)18 March 1988 (aged 27) | 38 | Australia Force |
| Wycliff Palu | Number 8 | (1982-07-27)27 July 1982 (aged 32) | 54 | Australia Waratahs |
| Will Genia | Scrum-half | (1988-01-17)17 January 1988 (aged 27) | 58 | Australia Reds |
| Nick Phipps | Scrum-half | (1989-01-09)9 January 1989 (aged 26) | 28 | Australia Waratahs |
| Nic White | Scrum-half | (1990-06-13)13 June 1990 (aged 25) | 19 | Australia Brumbies |
| Quade Cooper | Fly-half | (1988-04-05)5 April 1988 (aged 27) | 53 | Australia Reds |
| Bernard Foley | Fly-half | (1989-09-08)8 September 1989 (aged 25) | 18 | Australia Waratahs |
| Kurtley Beale | Centre | (1989-01-06)6 January 1989 (aged 26) | 49 | Australia Waratahs |
| Matt Giteau | Centre | (1982-09-29)29 September 1982 (aged 32) | 92 | France Toulon |
| Samu Kerevi | Centre | (1993-09-27)27 September 1993 (aged 21) | 0 | Australia Reds |
| Tevita Kuridrani | Centre | (1991-03-31)31 March 1991 (aged 24) | 20 | Australia Brumbies |
| Christian Lealiifano | Centre | (1987-09-24)24 September 1987 (aged 27) | 16 | Australia Brumbies |
| Matt To'omua | Centre | (1990-01-02)2 January 1990 (aged 25) | 21 | Australia Brumbies |
| Adam Ashley-Cooper | Wing | (1984-03-27)27 March 1984 (aged 31) | 104 | Australia Waratahs |
| Nick Cummins | Wing | (1987-10-05)5 October 1987 (aged 27) | 15 | Australia Force |
| Rob Horne | Wing | (1989-08-15)15 August 1989 (aged 25) | 25 | Australia Waratahs |
| Drew Mitchell | Wing | (1984-03-26)26 March 1984 (aged 31) | 63 | France Toulon |
| Taqele Naiyaravoro | Wing | (1991-12-07)7 December 1991 (aged 23) | 0 | Australia Waratahs |
| Henry Speight | Wing | (1988-03-25)25 March 1988 (aged 27) | 2 | Australia Brumbies |
| Joe Tomane | Wing | (1990-02-11)11 February 1990 (aged 25) | 14 | Australia Brumbies |
| Israel Folau | Fullback | (1989-04-03)3 April 1989 (aged 26) | 29 | Australia Waratahs |
New Zealand
On 21 June 2015, New Zealand named a 41-man squad for the July 8 clash with Samoa, won by the All Blacks 25–16, the 2015 Rugby Championship and the Bledisloe Cup test on 15 August.
Nepo Laulala and Andrew Ellis are included in the squad as injury cover for Charlie Faumuina and Tawera Kerr-Barlow.
On 2 August, Patrick Osborne was added to the squad ahead the back to back clashes against Australia.
| Player | Position | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Club/province |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dane Coles | Hooker | (1986-12-10)10 December 1986 (aged 28) | 27 | Hurricanes / Wellington |
| Hika Elliot | Hooker | (1986-01-22)22 January 1986 (aged 29) | 4 | Chiefs / Poverty Bay |
| Keven Mealamu | Hooker | (1979-03-20)20 March 1979 (aged 36) | 124 | Blues / Auckland |
| Codie Taylor | Hooker | (1991-03-31)31 March 1991 (aged 24) | 0 | Crusaders / Canterbury |
| Wyatt Crockett | Prop | (1983-01-24)24 January 1983 (aged 32) | 37 | Crusaders / Canterbury |
| Charlie Faumuina | Prop | (1986-12-24)24 December 1986 (aged 28) | 27 | Blues / Auckland |
| Ben Franks | Prop | (1984-03-27)27 March 1984 (aged 31) | 41 | Hurricanes / Hawke's Bay |
| Owen Franks | Prop | (1987-12-23)23 December 1987 (aged 27) | 68 | Crusaders / Canterbury |
| Nepo Laulala | Prop | (1991-11-06)6 November 1991 (aged 23) | 1 | Crusaders / Canterbury |
| Joe Moody | Prop | (1988-09-18)18 September 1988 (aged 26) | 8 | Crusaders / Canterbury |
| Tony Woodcock | Prop | (1981-01-27)27 January 1981 (aged 34) | 111 | Blues / North Harbour |
| James Broadhurst | Lock | (1987-12-01)1 December 1987 (aged 27) | 0 | Hurricanes / Taranaki |
| Brodie Retallick | Lock | (1991-05-31)31 May 1991 (aged 24) | 37 | Chiefs / Bay of Plenty |
| Luke Romano | Lock | (1986-02-16)16 February 1986 (aged 29) | 18 | Crusaders / Canterbury |
| Jeremy Thrush | Lock | (1985-04-19)19 April 1985 (aged 30) | 11 | Hurricanes / Wellington |
| Sam Whitelock | Lock | (1988-10-12)12 October 1988 (aged 26) | 63 | Crusaders / Canterbury |
| Sam Cane | Flanker | (1992-01-13)13 January 1992 (aged 23) | 22 | Chiefs / Bay of Plenty |
| Jerome Kaino | Flanker | (1983-04-06)6 April 1983 (aged 32) | 57 | Blues / Auckland |
| Richie McCaw (c) | Flanker | (1980-12-31)31 December 1980 (aged 34) | 138 | Crusaders / Canterbury |
| Liam Messam | Flanker | (1984-03-25)25 March 1984 (aged 31) | 40 | Chiefs / Waikato |
| Matt Todd | Flanker | (1988-03-24)24 March 1988 (aged 27) | 3 | Crusaders / Canterbury |
| Kieran Read | Number 8 | (1985-10-26)26 October 1985 (aged 29) | 73 | Crusaders / Canterbury |
| Victor Vito | Number 8 | (1987-03-27)27 March 1987 (aged 28) | 26 | Hurricanes / Wellington |
| Andrew Ellis | Half-back | (1984-02-21)21 February 1984 (aged 31) | 27 | Crusaders / Canterbury |
| Tawera Kerr-Barlow | Half-back | (1990-08-15)15 August 1990 (aged 24) | 15 | Chiefs / Waikato |
| TJ Perenara | Half-back | (1992-01-23)23 January 1992 (aged 23) | 11 | Hurricanes / Wellington |
| Aaron Smith | Half-back | (1988-11-21)21 November 1988 (aged 26) | 38 | Highlanders / Manawatu |
| Beauden Barrett | First five-eighth | (1991-05-27)27 May 1991 (aged 24) | 28 | Hurricanes / Taranaki |
| Dan Carter | First five-eighth | (1982-03-05)5 March 1982 (aged 33) | 103 | Crusaders / Canterbury |
| Colin Slade | First five-eighth | (1987-10-10)10 October 1987 (aged 27) | 18 | Crusaders / Canterbury |
| Lima Sopoaga | First five-eighth | (1991-02-03)3 February 1991 (aged 24) | 0 | Highlanders / Southland |
| Ryan Crotty | Centre | (1988-09-23)23 September 1988 (aged 26) | 14 | Crusaders / Canterbury |
| Malakai Fekitoa | Centre | (1992-05-10)10 May 1992 (aged 23) | 8 | Highlanders / Auckland |
| Ma'a Nonu | Centre | (1982-05-21)21 May 1982 (aged 33) | 94 | Hurricanes / Wellington |
| Conrad Smith | Centre | (1981-10-12)12 October 1981 (aged 33) | 85 | Hurricanes / Wellington |
| Sonny Bill Williams | Centre | (1985-08-03)3 August 1985 (aged 29) | 24 | Chiefs / Counties Manukau |
| Cory Jane | Wing | (1983-02-08)8 February 1983 (aged 32) | 53 | Hurricanes / Wellington |
| Waisake Naholo | Wing | (1991-05-08)8 May 1991 (aged 24) | 0 | Highlanders / Taranaki |
| Patrick Osborne | Wing | (1987-06-14)14 June 1987 (aged 28) | 0 | Highlanders / Canterbury |
| Charles Piutau | Wing | (1991-10-31)31 October 1991 (aged 23) | 15 | Blues / Auckland |
| Julian Savea | Wing | (1990-08-07)7 August 1990 (aged 24) | 33 | Hurricanes / Wellington |
| Israel Dagg | Fullback | (1988-06-06)6 June 1988 (aged 27) | 47 | Crusaders / Hawke's Bay |
| Nehe Milner-Skudder | Fullback | (1990-12-15)15 December 1990 (aged 24) | 0 | Hurricanes / Manawatu |
| Ben Smith | Fullback | (1986-06-01)1 June 1986 (aged 29) | 38 | Highlanders / Otago |
South Africa
On 12 July 2015, coach Heyneke Meyer named the following 31-man squad for the 2015 Rugby Championship:
On 20 July, Flip van der Merwe was added to the squad as injury cover for the second row. Heinrich Brüssow and Cornal Hendricks were also included in the squad to face New Zealand in their second Rugby Championship match.
On 5 August, Jean de Villiers, Siya Kolisi, Marcel van der Merwe and Pieter-Steph du Toit were added to the squad ahead of the final match against Argentina.
| Player | Position | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Club/province |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schalk Brits | Hooker | (1981-05-16)16 May 1981 (aged 34) | 7 | England Saracens |
| Bismarck du Plessis ‡ | Hooker | (1984-05-22)22 May 1984 (aged 31) | 70 | South Africa Sharks |
| Adriaan Strauss ‡ | Hooker | (1985-11-18)18 November 1985 (aged 29) | 44 | South Africa Bulls |
| Jannie du Plessis ‡ | Prop | (1982-11-16)16 November 1982 (aged 32) | 62 | South Africa Sharks |
| Vincent Koch | Prop | (1990-03-13)13 March 1990 (aged 25) | 0 | South Africa Stormers |
| Frans Malherbe | Prop | (1991-03-14)14 March 1991 (aged 24) | 4 | South Africa Stormers |
| Tendai Mtawarira ‡ | Prop | (1985-08-01)1 August 1985 (aged 29) | 64 | South Africa Sharks |
| Trevor Nyakane | Prop | (1989-05-04)4 May 1989 (aged 26) | 13 | South Africa Bulls |
| Heinke van der Merwe | Prop | (1985-05-03)3 May 1985 (aged 30) | 4 | France Stade Français |
| Marcel van der Merwe | Prop | (1990-10-24)24 October 1990 (aged 24) | 5 | South Africa Bulls |
| Lood de Jager | Lock | (1992-12-17)17 December 1992 (aged 22) | 9 | South Africa Cheetahs |
| Pieter-Steph du Toit | Lock | (1992-08-20)20 August 1992(age 33) | 2 | South Africa Sharks |
| Eben Etzebeth ‡ | Lock | (1991-10-29)29 October 1991 (aged 23) | 33 | South Africa Stormers |
| Victor Matfield (c) ‡ | Lock | (1977-05-11)11 May 1977 (aged 38) | 121 | South Africa Bulls |
| Flip van der Merwe | Lock | (1985-06-06)6 June 1985 (aged 30) | 35 | South Africa Bulls |
| Heinrich Brüssow | Flanker | (1986-07-21)21 July 1986 (aged 28) | 20 | South Africa Cheetahs |
| Schalk Burger | Flanker | (1983-04-13)13 April 1983 (aged 32) | 75 | South Africa Stormers |
| Siya Kolisi ‡ | Flanker | (1991-06-16)16 June 1991 (aged 24) | 10 | South Africa Stormers |
| Marcell Coetzee ‡ | Flanker | (1991-05-08)8 May 1991 (aged 24) | 26 | South Africa Sharks |
| Francois Louw | Flanker | (1985-06-15)15 June 1985 (aged 30) | 34 | England Bath |
| Oupa Mohojé | Flanker | (1990-08-03)3 August 1990 (aged 24) | 7 | South Africa Cheetahs |
| Warren Whiteley | Number 8 | (1987-09-18)18 September 1987 (aged 27) | 2 | South Africa Lions |
| Rudy Paige | Scrum-half | (1989-08-02)2 August 1989 (aged 25) | 0 | South Africa Bulls |
| Ruan Pienaar | Scrum-half | (1984-03-10)10 March 1984 (aged 31) | 80 | Republic of Ireland Ulster |
| Cobus Reinach | Scrum-half | (1990-02-07)7 February 1990 (aged 25) | 6 | South Africa Sharks |
| Handré Pollard | Fly-half | (1994-03-11)11 March 1994 (aged 21) | 9 | South Africa Bulls |
| Pat Lambie ‡ | Fly-half | (1990-10-17)17 October 1990 (aged 24) | 40 | South Africa Sharks |
| Morné Steyn | Fly-half | (1984-07-11)11 July 1984 (aged 31) | 59 | France Stade Français |
| Damian de Allende ‡ | Centre | (1991-11-25)25 November 1991 (aged 23) | 3 | South Africa Stormers |
| Jean de Villiers ‡ | Centre | (1981-02-24)24 February 1981 (aged 34) | 106 | South Africa Stormers |
| Lionel Mapoe | Centre | (1988-07-13)13 July 1988 (aged 27) | 0 | South Africa Lions |
| JP Pietersen | Centre | (1986-07-12)12 July 1986 (aged 29) | 59 | South Africa Sharks |
| Jan Serfontein ‡ | Centre | (1993-04-15)15 April 1993 (aged 22) | 20 | South Africa Bulls |
| Bryan Habana | Wing | (1983-06-12)12 June 1983 (aged 32) | 106 | France Toulon |
| Cornal Hendricks ‡ | Wing | (1988-04-18)18 April 1988 (aged 27) | 11 | South Africa Cheetahs |
| Lwazi Mvovo | Wing | (1986-06-03)3 June 1986 (aged 29) | 10 | South Africa Sharks |
| Jesse Kriel | Fullback | (1994-02-15)15 February 1994 (aged 21) | 0 | South Africa Bulls |
| Willie le Roux ‡ | Fullback | (1989-08-18)18 August 1989 (aged 25) | 25 | South Africa Cheetahs |
‡ denotes players who are centrally contracted to the South African Rugby Union.
Statistics
See also
- History of rugby union matches between Argentina and Australia
- History of rugby union matches between Argentina and New Zealand
- History of rugby union matches between Argentina and South Africa
- History of rugby union matches between Australia and South Africa
- History of rugby union matches between Australia and New Zealand
- History of rugby union matches between New Zealand and South Africa