The 2025 Rugby Championship opener between South Africa's Springboks and Australia's Wallabies begins on Saturday in Johannesburg.
For the game against the Wallabies at Ellis Park, the Springboks have selected a formidable team that includes 18 World Cup champions. After defeating the Barbarians 54-7 in the UK to start the 2025 rugby season, South Africa went on to defeat Italy and Georgia in Test matches.
The South Africans have dominated prior encounters and will now try to defeat Australia for the sixth time in a row. Additionally, the Boks won both of their Rugby Championship games in Australia last season, as well as one each in 2023 and 2022 prior to that.
Australia, however, enters this match off a three-Test series draw with the British and Irish Lions. They will feel secure, though, having recovered to win the last Test 22–12 and tie the series.
Nevertheless, since 2010, they have not won a Test match and now visit the Rainbow Nation. Additionally, since 1933, the Wallabies have only triumphed 10 times in 48 Test matches against the Springboks.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match and kickoff time.
South Africa vs. Wallabies live stream, TV channel
Free-to-air channel: N/A
Live stream: Stan Sport
The South Africa vs. Wallabies match from the 2025 Rugby Championship can be streamed on Stan Sport.
What time does South Africa vs. Wallabies kick off?
The South Africa vs. Wallabies Rugby clash takes place at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, South Africa and kicks off on Saturday, Aug. 16 at 5:10 p.m. local time (SAST)
Here's how that time translates across Australia:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Australian Eastern Standard Time | Sun, Aug. 17 | 1:10 a.m. |
| Australian Central Standard Time | Sun, Aug. 17 | 12:40 a.m. |
| Australian Western Standard Time | Sat, Aug. 16 | 11:10 p.m. |
Rugby Championship 2025 schedule
All AEST times
Sunday, August 17
- South Africa vs. Australia at Johannesburg (1:10 a.m.)
- Argentina vs. New Zealand at Cordoba (7:10 a.m.)
Sunday, August 24
- South Africa vs. Australia at Cape Town (1:10 a.m.)
- Argentina vs. New Zealand at Buenos Aires (7:10 a.m.)
Saturday, September 6
- Australia vs. Argentina at Townsville (2:30 p.m.)
- New Zealand vs. South Africa at Auckland (5:05 p.m.)
Saturday, September 13
- Australia vs. Argentina at Sydney (2:00 p.m.)
- New Zealand vs. South Africa at Wellington (5:05 p.m.)
Saturday, September 27
- New Zealand vs. Australia at Auckland (3:05 p.m.)
Sunday, September 28
- South Africa vs. Argentina at Durban (1:10 a.m.)
Saturday, October 4
- Argentina vs. South Africa at Twickenham (1:00 p.m.)