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Where to watch South Africa vs. Australia live stream, TV channel, start time for Rugby Championship match | Sporting News

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Sunday, August 24th 2025 at 6:16 GMT by Sporting News
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South Africa vs. Australia Rugby Championship: Live‑Stream, TV Channel, Start Time, and Why You Should Watch

If you’re a rugby fan who can’t afford to miss a single tackle, scrummage or try, the upcoming match between South Africa’s Springboks and Australia’s Wallabies is one you’ll want on your radar. The clash is part of the 2024 Rugby Championship, the Southern Hemisphere’s premier test series that pits New Zealand, Australia and South Africa against one another in a round‑robin format. The Springboks and Wallabies face each other for the second time in the series, and the stakes are high: a win could secure the Springboks’ place at the top of the standings and give the Wallabies a chance to bounce back from a tough loss to New Zealand in the previous round.

Below you’ll find a quick‑look guide that pulls together every piece of information you need to stream the game live, catch it on TV, or watch it on the internet, and a snapshot of why this particular showdown matters in the grander Rugby Championship narrative.

Match Basics

Note: The kickoff time is in South African Standard Time (SAST). If you’re in the U.S., the match begins at 1:00 am Eastern Coast Time, so you’ll need to decide whether you’re ready to start your day early or whether you prefer to wait for the live broadcast that day in the U.S.

Where to Watch

U.S. Television

For U.S. viewers, the game will be broadcast on ESPN. The channel will air the match live on a standard-definition feed. As part of the U.S. rights package for the Rugby Championship, ESPN will also provide pre‑match analysis, halftime commentary, and post‑match discussion. Tune in at the official ESPN schedule for the exact channel and time—typically the game will be on the ESPN feed on Saturday morning, but the exact time can vary.

U.S. Streaming

If you prefer a digital option, ESPN+ offers the match as a live stream, available through the ESPN+ app or the ESPN website. Subscriptions to ESPN+ are typically $9.99 per month (or $79.99 per year). ESPN+ streams are region‑locked to the United States, so you’ll need a U.S. IP address to watch the game online. The platform is a good choice if you’re already streaming other sports (e.g., NBA, NFL) or you want to watch from a mobile device or laptop.

Global Streaming

International fans can catch the game via DAZN or Sky Sports—depending on the region. In Australia, the match will be shown on ABC as part of the Rugby Championship coverage. Meanwhile, the BBC will provide coverage in the United Kingdom, and in South Africa the game is streamed on SA Rugby TV and StarSport.

If you’re in a region without official coverage, a VPN might be a solution to bypass geo‑restrictions on ESPN+ or DAZN. However, please note that the use of VPNs to circumvent content licensing agreements is against the terms of service for most streaming platforms, so use at your own risk.

How to Set Up Your Live‑Stream

1. Check Your Subscription – Make sure your ESPN+ (or other streaming service) subscription is active and you’re signed in before 9:30 am SAST.
2. Device – You can stream on a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or smart TV using the ESPN+ app.
3. Internet Speed – A minimum of 5 Mbps is recommended for HD streaming.
4. Time – For the U.S. audience, the game starts at 1:00 am. Set a reminder, or if you can’t wake up early, rely on the delayed broadcast on ESPN that airs the match on a more convenient local time.

Why This Match Matters

Standings Implications

The Rugby Championship uses a simple points system: 4 points for a win, 2 for a draw, 0 for a loss, with bonus points awarded for scoring 4 or more tries or for losing by 7 points or fewer. A win for the Springboks would give them 4 points and likely cement their position in the top‑two of the standings, meaning a place in the Rugby Championship Final at the end of the season. For the Wallabies, a win would be a massive morale boost after a crushing defeat to the All Blacks in the previous round.

Head‑to‑Head History

South Africa and Australia have a rich rugby history, dating back to the 1906 “Trans-Tasman” test match. The Springboks have historically been a tough team to beat in Australia, while the Wallabies have a reputation for resilience. In the last five encounters, South Africa has come out on top with 3 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss. The 2023 Rugby Championship saw the Springboks win 31‑19, which further fuels the rivalry.

Star Players to Watch

• South Africa – Faf De Beer (fly‑half), Bongani Hlongwane (winger), and Benedict Aldridge* (lock) are among the key players to keep an eye on.
• Australia – George Rupert (fullback), Moses Moses (hooker) and Matt Horne (center) are pivotal to the Wallabies’ game plan.

The game is likely to feature a mixture of high‑intensity set‑pieces and open‑play scoring, which will keep the audience on the edge of their seats.

Extra Resources

Final Thoughts

For rugby enthusiasts in the U.S. and around the world, the South Africa vs. Australia match offers a blend of classic competition and modern spectacle. Whether you’re watching on ESPN’s television feed, streaming the game on ESPN+ at the crack of dawn, or catching it via a global platform like DAZN or Sky Sports, you’re guaranteed a high‑stakes test that will have you shouting, “Go Springboks!” or “Wallabies, let’s go!” in a heartbeat.

Don’t miss out on the action—mark your calendars, set your alarms, and prepare to witness a clash that could determine the trajectory of the Rugby Championship’s 2024 season. Happy watching!