Rugby fans are showing a distinct preference for the Southern Hemisphere giants, with tickets for South Africa and New Zealand fixtures at the Nations Championship finals weekend selling out faster than those for the host, England. While Twickenham prepares to host the inaugural tournament’s concluding matches next month, interest in the Springboks and the All Blacks has surged, leaving tickets for England’s own matches still readily available.
The upcoming event features six high-stakes rankings matches spread across three days at Twickenham. On Sunday, the top-ranked side from the northern hemisphere pool faces its southern counterpart, with remaining fixtures following a similar seeding structure. Supporters wishing to secure entry to specific matches can purchase “support your team” tickets, while various multi-day bundles are also on offer. As of Wednesday, fans could still buy tickets for England’s appearances at a price of £164.80, a rate that also applies to the other nine participating nations.
Organizers remain optimistic about the turnout, noting that between 60% and 65% of total tickets have been sold following a spike in interest after the July fixtures. They are promoting the finale as a “festival of rugby.” However, the disparity in demand may be linked to England’s recent performance, including a difficult 42-21 loss to Ireland during their most challenging Six Nations campaign to date. Before the finals weekend, England must navigate pool matches against Australia, Japan, and New Zealand.
Twickenham has increasingly become a secondary home for South Africa, who have played multiple tests there against rivals like Wales, Argentina, and New Zealand. The venue previously saw a crowd exceeding 80,000 for a 2023 World Cup warm-up match between the Springboks and the All Blacks. This Friday night game remains a point of contention for local residents, who submitted complaints to the local council regarding antisocial behavior during that event. The Rugby Football Union is currently waiting on a decision from Richmond Council regarding a separate planning application to increase the frequency of concerts at the stadium, though officials worry the local authority may delay its ruling until after the November tournament concludes. There is a sizeable New Zealander expat population in London and the Springboks’ thumping 2023 World Cup warm-up win over the All Blacks was witnessed by a crowd of more than 80,000. That was the last Test held at Twickenham on a Friday night and the Rugby Football Union will be anxious to see how November’s double header plays out.
Beyond the tournament preparations, coaching staff changes are on the horizon. England assistant coach Joe El-Abd is set to depart his role following the conclusion of next year’s World Cup to join the French club Clermont. A close associate of head coach Steve Borthwick, El-Abd joined the setup in the autumn of 2024 as a defence coach before transitioning to a role focused on contact skills and forwards. His departure marks a return to the French league, where he previously served as director of rugby at Oyonnax.
