Rugby Championship Opening Weekend Talking Points: Siya Kolisi at No.8 for the Springboks

The 2025 Rugby Championship kicks off this weekend, and it’s still South Africa and New Zealand setting the pace. The Springboks are organised, brutal, and know how to close games.

The All Blacks are hunting a bounce-back after four straight losses to the Boks and after losing out on the title to Rassie Erasmus’ side last time out. Australia and Argentina both bring promise, but tough starts will test them early.

It begins with South Africa hosting Australia at Ellis Park for the first game of Saturday, before New Zealand travel to Argentina to play out the second and final game of the day.

Here are some of the biggest talking points to look out for ahead of the competition kicking off.

Battle-Hardened Wallabies Travel to World Champions

The Wallabies are stepping into the lion’s den. Ellis Park is one of rugby’s most iconic venues, and the Springboks rarely give an inch there.

South Africa are not just the reigning Rugby Championship holders; they’re also World Cup champions. The weight of expectation is real.

But Australia arrives sharper than usual. Unlike the Boks, who’ve had a relatively light buildup, their toughest summer opposition being Italy, the Wallabies have been forged in the heat of a brutal Lions series.

That’s no small advantage. Joe Schmidt’s men pushed the Lions to the wire, and had it not been for a heartbreaking late try in the second Test, they could’ve taken the series.

That kind of preparation can’t be underestimated. There’s a hard edge to this Aussie team now. Yes, they’ll be underdogs at altitude, but they know what it’s like to go blow-for-blow with elite teams.

There’s a belief in that Wallaby camp, and they’ll fancy upsetting the odds.

Siya Kolisi at No.8

Siya Kolisi will wear the number 8 jersey for the first time in a Test match, but this isn’t completely uncharted territory for the Springbok captain.

He’s played plenty of rugby there at club level for the Sharks, so it’s not like he’s being thrown in the deep end.

This shift is less about strategy and more about necessity. Injuries to Elrigh Louw and Cameron Hanekom have left a gap at the back of the scrum, and Jasper Wiese’s suspension for a headbutt against Italy only made things trickier.

Rassie Erasmus has been clear, though.

Kolisi will pack down at the back of the scrum but will still operate as a traditional six in open play.

It’s a technical shuffle, but one the Springboks will feel they can handle with minimal disruption. Kolisi’s leadership and adaptability will be crucial.

5-3 Split for the Boks

This is a departure from the norm. South Africa’s 6-2 bench split has become something of a trademark, a statement of intent that no one else has quite replicated with the same success.

So when Rassie Erasmus opts for a 5-3 split, eyebrows naturally raise.

It doesn’t mean they’re going soft, far from it. Their starting pack is still ferocious, and there’s more than enough firepower on the bench.

But the balance is slightly different. A 5-3 split hints at a possible desire to move the ball a bit more later in the game, or even just a vote of supreme confidence in the starting eight.

There’s also the question of tactics. That deliberately chaotic kick-off against Italy last month, where they intentionally forced a scrum, may well have been a bluff.

Los Pumas’ Home Advantage Could Be Key

Argentina are hosting the All Blacks in Cordoba, and while they’ve had limited success historically, this is still a fixture that could go either way on the day.

They’ve beaten New Zealand just three times in 39 attempts, and none of those wins have come on home soil. The closest they’ve come was a draw; the rest have all been losses.

 But last year’s historic 38-30 win in Wellington was proof that Los Pumas can find that extra gear when everything clicks.

The Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes will be buzzing. It’s not just another Test match for the locals; it’s a chance to make history.

The crowd will be loud, the atmosphere intense, and if Argentina can build early momentum, they’ve got a real shot at doing something special.

All Blacks Title Chase to Start

It’s not often the All Blacks head into a Rugby Championship without the trophy already sitting in their cabinet. Last year, they missed out, and that alone is enough to fuel their fire this time around.

Scott Robertson’s new regime knows how important it is to set the tone early.

They’ve got the talent, the depth, and the motivation to reclaim dominance in the southern hemisphere.

The Springboks have never managed back-to-back Rugby Championship wins, and New Zealand will see it as their responsibility to make sure that remains the case.

Starting strong is essential. Anything less than a win in Argentina, and the pressure begins to mount quickly.

Robertson’s men won’t want to give the Boks any breathing room and will hope to get a big win against Los Pumas to start things off. Expect a ruthless approach right from the first whistle.

By Charlie Elliott

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