South Africa will kick-off their 2015 Castle Lager Rugby Championship campaign against Australia in Brisbane on Saturday, July 18.

SANZAR on Monday announced the fixtures for a competition that has been condensed to three rounds to make way for the Rugby World Cup. The Springboks will also host New Zealand and Argentina in 2015, before finishing with an away-match against Los Pumas, which will not be for competition points.

The Castle Lager Rugby Championship will kick-off on Friday, July 17 when New Zealand host Argentina in Christchurch, a fortnight after the 2015 Vodacom Super Rugby Final. Because of the Rugby World Cup, there will not be an incoming series next year.

The second round will see the Springboks host New Zealand and Argentina take on the Wallabies, while the third round matches will be between Australia and the All Blacks in Sydney; and South Africa and Argentina.

The home venues for matches involving the Springboks and Argentina will be announced in due course.

“The Rugby Championship continues to be one of the game’s greatest tests, pitting the world’s elite rugby nations against one another,” said SANZAR Chief Executive Greg Peters.

“The intense rivalry between New Zealand and South Africa has risen to lofty new heights in recent years and subsequently evolved into one of sport’s ‘must-watch’ events, captivating crowds in stadiums, bars and living rooms around the world.

“Argentina recently returned to the IRB’s Top 10 and will seek to build on their inaugural victory in the championship while the Wallabies and All Blacks renew another rivalry steeped in history and tradition with clashes in Sydney and Auckland.”

THE 2015 CASTLE LAGER RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE:

Round One:
Friday, July 17: New Zealand v Argentina, AMI Stadium (Christchurch)
Saturday, July 18: Australia v South Africa, Suncorp Stadium (Brisbane)

Round Two:
Saturday, July 25: South Africa v New Zealand – Venue TBC
Saturday, July 25: Argentina v Australia – Venue TBC

Round three:
Saturday, August 8: Australia v New Zealand, ANZ Stadium (Sydney)
Saturday, August 8: South Africa v Argentina – Venue TBC

Additional week (not for competition points):
Saturday, August 15: New Zealand v Australia, Eden Park (Auckland)
Saturday, August 15: Argentina v South Africa – Venue TBC