2013 Rugby Championship

2013 Rugby Championship
Date17 August – 5 October 2013
Countries Argentina
 Australia
 New Zealand
 South Africa
Final positions
Champions New Zealand (12th title)
Bledisloe Cup New Zealand
Freedom Cup New Zealand
Mandela Challenge Plate South Africa
Puma Trophy Australia
Tournament statistics
Matches played12
Tries scored66 (5.5 per match)
Attendance488,113 (40,676 per match)
Top scorer(s)South Africa Morné Steyn (88)
Most triesNew Zealand Ben Smith (8)
2012
2014

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.[1]

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.[2]

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.[3][4][5]

  1. ^ "Springboks, Pumas to honour Madiba in unique double-header with soccer". South African Rugby Union. 4 July 2013. Archived from the original on 7 June 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  2. ^ "Argentina announce 2013 Rugby Championship fixtures". rugbyworldcup-argentina2023.blogspot.co.uk. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  3. ^ "South Africa 27 New Zealand 38". Daily Telegraph. 5 October 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  4. ^ "New Zealand lift Rugby Championship with fine win over South Africa". The Guardian. 5 October 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  5. ^ "New Zealand beat South Africa for title". BBC Sport. 5 October 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2013.