26 October 2026 · Gregg Abell, Field Trip Sports Travel, Johannesburg
Finals Weekend is six Test matches over three days at Twickenham, 27 to 29 November 2026. Who plays whom is decided by the final league tables after the last round on 21 November. If the Springboks finish top of the Southern Hemisphere table, they play the Final on Sunday 29 November. South African passport holders need a UK visa, so apply now.
How Finals Weekend works
The Nations Championship, which replaced the old Autumn Internationals, puts the six Northern and six Southern Hemisphere teams in two tables. Each team plays three Tests at home and three away. After the November round, each team meets the side in the same position in the other table.
| Day | Matches |
|---|---|
| Friday 27 November | 11th-place and 9th-place play-offs |
| Saturday 28 November | 7th-place and 5th-place play-offs |
| Sunday 29 November | 3rd-place play-off and the Final (1st v 1st) |
The Boks' road to Twickenham
South Africa led the Southern table after the July Tests. Their November games decide where they finish:
| Saturday 7 November | Italy v South Africa, La Nucía, Spain |
| Friday 13 November | France v South Africa, Stade de France, Paris |
| Saturday 21 November | Ireland v South Africa, Aviva Stadium, Dublin |
That leaves under a week between knowing the pairings and kick-off. Because the fixtures aren't known in advance, tickets are sold by day, not by match. If you want to be sure of seeing the Boks, a weekend ticket covering Saturday and Sunday is the safe option.
A good trip comes down to the small things: a support team on the ground, hotels we've checked ourselves, and clear advice on getting home after the game. South African fans want it easy and convenient, so they can focus on the rugby.
Gregg Abell, founder, Field Trip Sports Travel
Getting there and where to stay
- Visa: South African passport holders need a UK Standard Visitor visa. Processing can take several weeks, so apply now.
- Getting to the ground: trains run from London Waterloo to Twickenham in about 30 minutes. Expect big queues after the game.
- Where to stay: the Heathrow and Great West Road hotels are closest. Our packages use Park Grand London Heathrow (3 km from the stadium), Premier Inn Brentford (6 km) and Sofitel Heathrow Terminal 5 (11 km).
Weekend tickets for Saturday and Sunday start from R20 369 per person, and packages with 3 nights' accommodation from R26 045 per person sharing. Full details: Finals Weekend packages.
See Finals Weekend packagesAsk us a question
Sources: The Scotsman: how the Nations Championship works · SA Rugby Magazine: Boks and Les Bleus on top. Field Trip is an independent travel company and not an official agent of World Rugby, the RFU or SA Rugby.
Questions we get asked
When is the Nations Championship Finals Weekend?
Friday 27 to Sunday 29 November 2026 at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham. The Final is on Sunday 29 November.
Who plays in the Nations Championship Final?
The team that finishes top of the Northern Hemisphere table plays the team that finishes top of the Southern Hemisphere table. The pairings are confirmed after the last round on 21 November 2026.
Do South Africans need a visa for the UK?
Yes. South African passport holders need a UK Standard Visitor visa before they travel.