The 2013 Rugby Championship, known 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 for sponsorship reasons, was the second edition of the expanded annual southern hemisphere championship consisting of Argentina, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. New Zealand as the 2012 holders, was trying to keep their 100% winning record in the championship after winning six from six in 2012.
The Championship began on 17 August with Australia hosting New Zealand at Stadium Australia and South Africa hosting Argentina at the FNB Stadium. The match between South Africa and Argentina was originally meant to be held at the Free State Stadium, but it was moved to the FNB to form a unique sports programme – Nelson Mandela Sports Day – in honour of Nelson Mandela.
The Championship concluded with South Africa hosting New Zealand at the Ellis Park Stadium and Argentina hosting Australia at the Estadio Gigante de Arroyito. Argentina were the only nation to reuse the same venues from 2012.
The Championship was retained by New Zealand after a 38-27 win against South Africa at Ellis Park on 5 October, keeping their 100 percent winning record in the expanded championship.
Standings Place Nation Games Points TryBonus LosingBonus Tablepoints Played Won Drawn Lost For Against 1 6 6 0 0 202 115 +87 4 0 28 2 6 4 0 2 203 117 +86 3 0 19 3 6 2 0 4 133 170 -37 1 0 9 4 6 0 0 6 88 224 -136 0 2 2
Fixtures
Round 1
FB 15Jesse Mogg RW 14Israel FolauOC 13Adam Ashley-CooperIC 12Christian LealiifanoLW 11James O'ConnorFH 10Matt To'omua SH 9 Will Genia N8 8 Ben Mowen OF 7 Michael Hooper BF 6 Hugh McMeniman RL 5 James Horwill (c)LL 4 Rob SimmonsTP 3 Ben Alexander HK 2 Stephen Moore LP 1 James Slipper Replacements:HK 16Saia Fainga'a PR 17Scott Sio PR 18Sekope Kepu LK 19Scott Fardy FL 20Liam Gill SH 21Nic White FH 22Quade Cooper CE 23Tevita Kuridrani Coach: Ewen McKenzie FB 15Israel DaggRW 14Ben SmithOC 13Conrad SmithIC 12Ma'a Nonu LW 11Julian SaveaFH 10Aaron Cruden SH 9 Aaron Smith N8 8 Kieran ReadOF 7 Richie McCaw (c) BF 6 Steve LuatuaRL 5 Sam Whitelock LL 4 Luke Romano TP 3 Owen Franks HK 2 Andrew Hore LP 1 Tony Woodcock Replacements:HK 16Keven Mealamu PR 17Ben Franks PR 18Charlie Faumuina LK 19Brodie Retallick FL 20Sam Cane SH 21Tawera Kerr-Barlow FH 22Beauden Barrett CE 23Ryan Crotty Coach: Steve Hansen Man of the Match: Ben Smith (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Jaco Peyper (South Africa) Lourens van der Merwe (South Africa) Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa) Notes: Matt To'omua, Scott Sio, Scott Fardy, Tevita Kuridrani and Nic White made their debuts for Australia, with To'omua being the first Wallaby to make his debut against New Zealand in the starting XV since Rod Kafer in 1999. Ryan Crotty made his debut for New Zealand. New Zealand recorded a 100 test victories against Australia, making them the first ever team to record a century of victories over a single nation. With McCaw's try, he becomes the first New Zealand forward to score 100 test points.
FB 15Willie le Roux RW 14Bjorn BassonOC 13JJ EngelbrechtIC 12Jean de Villiers (c) LW 11Bryan HabanaFH 10Morné SteynSH 9 Ruan Pienaar N8 8 Duane VermeulenOF 7 Willem Alberts BF 6 Francois LouwRL 5 Juandré Kruger LL 4 Eben EtzebethTP 3 Jannie du Plessis HK 2 Adriaan Strauss LP 1 Tendai Mtawarira Replacements:HK 16Bismarck du Plessis PR 17Gurthrö Steenkamp PR 18Coenie Oosthuizen LK 19Flip van der Merwe FL 20Siya Kolisi SH 21Fourie du Preez FH 22Pat Lambie CE 23Jan Serfontein Coach: Heyneke Meyer FB 15Juan Martín Hernández RW 14Gonzalo CamachoOC 13Marcelo BoschIC 12Felipe Contepomi (c)LW 11Juan Imhoff FH 10Nicolás SánchezSH 9 Martín Landajo N8 8 Leonardo Senatore OF 7 Juan Manuel LeguizamónBF 6 Pablo MateraRL 5 Patricio Albacete LL 4 Manuel Carizza TP 3 Matías Díaz HK 2 Eusebio Guiñazú LP 1 Juan Figallo Replacements:HK 16Agustín Creevy PR 17Nahuel Lobo PR 18Juan Pablo Orlandi LK 19Mariano Galarza FL 20Julio Farías Cabello SH 21Tomás Cubelli CE 22Santiago FernándezWG 23Horacio Agulla Coach: Santiago Phelan Man of the Match: Adriaan Strauss (South Africa)
Touch judges: Pascal Gaüzère (France) John Lacey (Ireland) Television match official: Eric Gauzins (France) Notes: With this win, South Africa records their biggest winning margin over Argentina of 60. It was previously 54 which they held from 2008. South Africa records the most points scored by one team in a match in either the Rugby Championship or Tri Nations. It was previously 61 by South Africa in a 61-22 win over Australia in 1997. South Africa records the biggest winning margin in either the Rugby Championship or Tri Nations. It was previously held by Australia in 2006 following a 49-0 victory over South Africa
Round 2
FB 15Israel DaggRW 14Ben Smith OC 13Conrad SmithIC 12Ma'a Nonu LW 11Julian SaveaFH 10Tom Taylor SH 9 Aaron Smith N8 8 Kieran ReadOF 7 Richie McCaw (c)BF 6 Steve LuatuaRL 5 Sam WhitelockLL 4 Brodie RetallickTP 3 Owen Franks HK 2 Andrew Hore LP 1 Tony Woodcock Replacements:HK 16Dane Coles PR 17Wyatt Crockett PR 18Charlie Faumuina LK 19Jeremy ThrushFL 20Sam CaneSH 21Tawera Kerr-Barlow FH 22Colin Slade FB 23Charles Piutau Coach: Steve Hansen FB 15Jesse MoggRW 14Israel FolauOC 13Adam Ashley-Cooper IC 12Christian LealiifanoLW 11James O'ConnorFH 10Matt To'omua SH 9 Will Genia N8 8 Ben Mowen OF 7 Michael HooperBF 6 Scott FardyRL 5 James Horwill (c)LL 4 Rob Simmons TP 3 Ben Alexander HK 2 Stephen Moore LP 1 James Slipper Replacements:HK 16Saia Fainga'a PR 17Scott Sio PR 18Sekope Kepu LK 19Kane Douglas FL 20Liam Gill SH 21Nic White FH 22Quade Cooper CE 23Tevita Kuridrani Coach: Ewen McKenzie Man of the Match: Steve Luatua (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Craig Joubert (South Africa) Lourens van der Merwe (South Africa) Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa) Notes: Tom Taylor made his debut for New Zealand. Tony Woodcock became the fourth New Zealand player to earn 100 test caps. With this win, New Zealand retains the Bledisloe Cup.
FB 15Lucas González AmorosinoRW 14Gonzalo CamachoOC 13Marcelo BoschIC 12Felipe Contepomi (c) LW 11Horacio AgullaFH 10Nicolás SánchezSH 9 Martín Landajo N8 8 Leonardo Senatore OF 7 Juan Manuel LeguizamónBF 6 Pablo MateraRL 5 Mariano Galarza LL 4 Julio Farías CabelloTP 3 Juan FigalloHK 2 Eusebio Guiñazú LP 1 Marcos AyerzaReplacements:HK 16Agustín Creevy PR 17Nahuel LoboPR 18Matías DíazLK 19Tomás Lavanini N8 20Benjamín Macome SH 21Tomás Cubelli CE 22Santiago Fernández CE 23Joaquín TuculetCoach: Santiago Phelan FB 15Willie le RouxRW 14Bjorn Basson OC 13JJ Engelbrecht IC 12Jean de Villiers (c)LW 11Bryan HabanaFH 10Morné SteynSH 9 Ruan PienaarN8 8 Duane VermeulenOF 7 Willem Alberts BF 6 Francois LouwRL 5 Juandré KrugerLL 4 Eben EtzebethTP 3 Jannie du Plessis HK 2 Adriaan Strauss LP 1 Tendai Mtawarira Replacements:HK 16Bismarck du Plessis PR 17Gurthrö Steenkamp PR 18Coenie Oosthuizen LK 19Flip van der Merwe FL 20Siya Kolisi SH 21Jano VermaakFH 22Pat Lambie CE 23Jan Serfontein Coach: Heyneke Meyer Man of the Match: Juan Manuel Leguizamón (Argentina)
Touch judges: Pascal Gaüzère (France) John Lacey (Ireland) Television match official: Marshall Kilgore (Ireland) Notes: With this win, South Africa record their first away win in The Rugby Championship Bismarck du Plessis earned his 50th cap for South Africa.
Round 3
FB 15Israel Dagg RW 14Ben SmithOC 13Conrad SmithIC 12Francis SailiLW 11Julian SaveaFH 10Dan Carter SH 9 Aaron Smith N8 8 Kieran ReadOF 7 Richie McCaw (c) BF 6 Steve LuatuaRL 5 Sam Whitelock LL 4 Brodie RetallickTP 3 Charlie Faumuina HK 2 Andrew Hore LP 1 Tony Woodcock Replacements:HK 16Dane Coles PR 17Wyatt Crockett PR 18Ben Franks LK 19Jeremy Thrush FL 20Sam Cane SH 21Tawera Kerr-Barlow FH 22Beauden Barrett FB 23Charles Piutau Coach: Steve Hansen FB 15Juan Martín HernándezRW 14Gonzalo Camacho OC 13Marcelo BoschIC 12Santiago Fernández LW 11Horacio AgullaFH 10Nicolás SánchezSH 9 Martín Landajo N8 8 Juan Manuel LeguizamónOF 7 Pablo Matera BF 6 Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe (c)RL 5 Julio Farías Cabello LL 4 Manuel CarizzaTP 3 Juan Figallo HK 2 Eusebio Guiñazú LP 1 Marcos Ayerza Replacements:HK 16Agustín Creevy PR 17Nahuel Lobo PR 18Juan Pablo Orlandi LK 19Mariano Galarza N8 20Benjamín Macome SH 21Tomás Cubelli FH 22Felipe Contepomi FB 23Lucas González Amorosino Coach: Santiago Phelan Man of the Match: Kieran Read (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Romain Poite (France) James Leckie (Australia) Television match official: George Ayoub (Australia) Notes: During the match, Dan Carter became the first player to pass 1400 international test points. Francis Saili made his debut for New Zealand (All Black number 1126).
FB 15Israel FolauRW 14James O'ConnorOC 13Adam Ashley-CooperIC 12Christian Lealiifano LW 11Nick CumminsFH 10Quade CooperSH 9 Will Genia (c) N8 8 Ben Mowen OF 7 Michael Hooper BF 6 Scott FardyRL 5 Kane DouglasLL 4 Rob Simmons TP 3 Sekope Kepu HK 2 Stephen Moore LP 1 James Slipper Replacements:HK 16Saia Fainga'a PR 17Scott Sio PR 18Ben Alexander FL 19Ben McCalman FL 20Liam Gill SH 21Nic White FH 22Matt To'omua FB 23Jesse MoggCoach: Ewen McKenzie FB 15Zane KirchnerRW 14Willie le RouxOC 13JJ EngelbrechtIC 12Jean de Villiers (c) LW 11Bryan HabanaFH 10Morné Steyn SH 9 Ruan Pienaar N8 8 Duane VermeulenOF 7 Willem Alberts BF 6 Francois Louw RL 5 Flip van der Merwe LL 4 Eben EtzebethTP 3 Jannie du Plessis HK 2 Bismarck du Plessis LP 1 Tendai Mtawarira Replacements:HK 16Adriaan Strauss PR 17Gurthrö Steenkamp PR 18Coenie Oosthuizen LK 19Juandré Kruger FL 20Siya Kolisi SH 21Jano Vermaak FH 22Pat Lambie CE 23Jan Serfontein Coach: Heyneke Meyer Man of the Match: Duane Vermeulen (South Africa)
Touch judges: Nigel Owens (Wales) Glen Jackson (New Zealand) Television match official: Ben Skeen (New Zealand) Notes: Australia captain James Horwill was selected in the starting XV, but was withdrawn ahead of the match with a hamstring injury. Jake Schatz could have made his debut of the bench, but was ruled out hours before kick off with a knee injury. First win for South Africa at Lang Park and their first in Brisbane since 1971. The victory marks the biggest ever winning margin by South Africa over Australia in Australia.
Round 4
FB 15Israel Dagg RW 14Ben SmithOC 13Conrad SmithIC 12Ma'a Nonu LW 11Julian Savea FH 10Dan Carter SH 9 Aaron SmithN8 8 Kieran Read (c) OF 7 Sam Cane BF 6 Liam Messam RL 5 Sam WhitelockLL 4 Brodie RetallickTP 3 Owen Franks HK 2 Dane Coles LP 1 Tony Woodcock Replacements:HK 16Keven Mealamu PR 17Wyatt Crockett PR 18Charlie Faumuina FL 19Steve Luatua FL 20Matt Todd SH 21Tawera Kerr-Barlow FH 22Beauden Barrett FB 23Charles Piutau Coach: Steve Hansen FB 15Zane Kirchner RW 14Willie le Roux OC 13JJ EngelbrechtIC 12Jean de Villiers (c)LW 11Bryan HabanaFH 10Morné SteynSH 9 Ruan Pienaar N8 8 Duane VermeulenOF 7 Willem Alberts BF 6 Francois Louw RL 5 Flip van der Merwe LL 4 Eben EtzebethTP 3 Jannie du Plessis HK 2 Bismarck du Plessis LP 1 Tendai Mtawarira Replacements:HK 16Adriaan Strauss PR 17Gurthrö Steenkamp PR 18Coenie Oosthuizen LK 19Juandré Kruger FL 20Siya Kolisi SH 21Jano Vermaak FH 22Pat Lambie CE 23Jan Serfontein Coach: Heyneke Meyer Man of the Match: Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Jérôme Garcès (France) Francisco Pastrana (Argentina) Television match official: George Ayoub (Australian) Notes: New Zealand retain the Freedom Cup. Owen Franks earned his 50th test cap playing for New Zealand.