The Rugby Championship was called the Tri Nations before Argentina joined the competition in 2012.
The Tri Nations featured Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. It began in 1996 as the southern hemisphere’s major annual international rugby union championship and was organized by SANZAR, now known as SANZAAR.
Argentina joined in 2012, creating the Rugby Championship. The expanded competition retained the established rivalries while giving Argentina regular matches against the leading southern hemisphere teams.
The tournament is separate from the Six Nations, which involves six European teams. Australia and New Zealand also contest the Bledisloe Cup within the Rugby Championship, while South Africa and New Zealand compete for the Freedom Cup.