The Battle of North v South has never been more competitive

International rugby’s history is anchored in the deeply rooted rivalries between nations of the northern hemisphere and southern hemisphere. 

The first time an international rugby test was held between nations of the northern and southern hemispheres was England vs New Zealand, in 1905. 

Since then, 1062 fixtures have taken place between participating Nations Championship sides  – with Southern Hemisphere teams having won 603 of those fixtures – or 56.8% of them- vs the Northern Hemisphere’s 427 wins – representing 40.2% of the fixtures. 

However, since 2021, we are currently in the most competitive era of the North v South rivalry  – with the period being the first in which the North has had the ascendancy over the South since the early 1900’s.