Rugby

New Hemisphere Shield Adds Extra Prize to Nations Championship Battle

Published 29 Sep 2026 at 10:21 PM

by Dzikamai Matara

3 min read

The North and South are locked at 9 wins apiece, setting up an intriguing battle when the Nations Championship reaches its decisive stages
A brand-new trophy will be on the line in London, adding another layer to an already highly anticipated Nations Championship Finals Weekend
The new prize gives the hemisphere rivalry an official score and silverware, but the final outcome will depend on what happens across 6 crucial matches

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Nations Championship Hemisphere Shield — The North v South rugby rivalry now has another trophy to fight for. The new Hemisphere Shield will be decided across 6 matches during the Nations Championship Finals Weekend. Image: super.rugby
Source: UGC

The inaugural Nations Championship has gained another layer of intrigue after the Hemisphere Shield was unveiled on 29 September 2026, giving the Northern and Southern Hemispheres a separate prize to fight for during November’s Finals Weekend.

The new trophy will be decided by the results of 6 North v South matches, with the current battle finely balanced at 9 wins apiece after the opening 3 rounds played in July. The remaining 3 rounds will determine the match-ups for the Finals Weekend.

Nations Championship adds Hemisphere Shield

The Hemisphere Shield will sit alongside the main Nations Championship trophy, creating a separate competition between the 2 hemispheres.

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According to SANZAAR, teams will earn 7 points across the 6 matches. The fixtures involving teams ranked second through sixth will each carry 1 point, while the top-ranked clash will be worth 2 points. The first hemisphere to reach 4 points will claim the shield.

SANZAAR CEO Brendan Morris said:

“Every time a Southern Hemisphere nation takes the field against the North, they are contributing to a collective battle alongside their traditional rivals.”

He added:

“The Hemisphere Shield gives that achievement a symbol built to last.”

South Africa and northern rivals await November

The final standings after Round 6 will determine which teams meet in the corresponding Finals Weekend positions, with the top-ranked sides facing each other and the same applying down the standings.

The official Nations Championship information confirms that the Finals Weekend will take place at Allianz Stadium in London from 27 to 29 November. Three double-headers will be staged across the weekend.

North v South battle enters decisive phase

With the hemispheres level on 9 victories each, the next 3 rounds will shape the final match-ups before the November showdown.

The official competition format describes the tournament as having 2 parallel battles — individual nations competing for the Nations Championship and the hemispheres competing for collective supremacy.

The new shield therefore adds another layer to an already significant end to the inaugural tournament.

Springboks vs Wallabies — Springboks and Wallabies are set for a historic 100th Test in 2027 as the long-running rivalry reaches a major milestone ahead of the Rugby World Cup. Image: SARugbymagazine/X
Source: Twitter

Springboks and Wallabies' 100th Test adds another twist

Briefly News previously reported that the Springboks and Wallabies are heading towards a historic 100th Test in 2027, adding another milestone to one of international rugby’s longest-running rivalries.

The landmark clash will form part of a major year for both teams, with Australia preparing to host the Rugby World Cup while South Africa begins its title defence.