Summary If New Zealand sweeps a 3-test series against England in June, it has the chance of a world-record.
CAPE TOWN (AP) - New Zealand will kick off its southern hemisphere title defense away in Australia in the first round of next year s four-nation Rugby Championship.
The top-ranked and world champion All Blacks travel to Sydney for their Aug. 16 opener while No. 2-ranked South Africa hosts Argentina in Pretoria on the same day.
New Zealand will host Australia in Auckland a week later, and plays the Springboks in Wellington in round four. Before that, Australia hosts South Africa in Perth.
South Africa s home games against New Zealand and Australia are at Cape Town s Newlands and Johannesburg s Ellis Park respectively, the same venues as this year.
If New Zealand sweeps a three-test series against England in June, it has the chance of a world-record 18th straight victory in its Rugby Championship opener.
