Springbok fans will, for the first time ever, be able to take their passion for the game to the next level with the announcement of a new online game in Fantasy Rugby Championship.

The collaboration between SA Rugby, New Zealand Rugby, Rugby Australia, and Unión Argentina de Rugby, as partners in SANZAAR, marks the first official Fantasy game for the Southern Hemisphere’s premier international competition, the Castle Lager Rugby Championship (TRC).

Global pre-registration for the game starts on Tuesday, 10 June, with the game officially launching in August to give Fantasy players time to pick their teams before the opening round on 16 August, when the Boks host the Wallabies in Johannesburg and New Zealand take on the Pumas in Argentina.

Fans will have the chance to draft their ultimate XV from the best players across New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Argentina, and to compete for bragging rights all tournament long.

Rian Oberholzer, CEO of SA Rugby, said: “South African fans are some of the most passionate and knowledgeable in the world. They love to debate selections, analyse performances, and back their instincts.

“Fantasy Rugby Championship gives them the perfect platform to put their rugby IQ to the test. It’s exciting to see this innovation in the international game.”

With new faces and familiar stars set to light up the tournament, fans can now pre-register and be first to play at www.playfantasyrugby.com/rugby-championship.