New Zealand will open up their Rugby Championship defence against Australia in Sydney

New Zealand kick-start their Rugby Championship defence against Australia

Australia and defending champions New Zealand will get the 2013 Rugby Championship underway on August 17.

The first Bledisloe Cup match will take place at the ANZ Stadium in Sydney, with South Africa entertaining Argentina in Bloemfontein.

The reverse fixtures will take place seven days later - with the Wallabies travelling to Wellington and the Pumas welcoming the Springboks to Mendoza.

That will be the first of three successive home games for the All Blacks - with Argentina taking on the World Cup winners at Waikato Stadium on September 7 before South Africa visit Eden Park in Auckland.

2013 Rugby Championship fixtures:

Australia v New Zealand, ANZ Stadium, Sydney.

South Africa v Argentina, Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein.

August 24:

New Zealand v Australia, Westpac Stadium, Wellington.

Argentina v South Africa, Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza.

September 7:

Australia v South Africa, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.

New Zealand v Argentina, Waikato Stadium, Hamilton.

September 14:

Australia v Argentina, Patersons Stadium, Perth.

New Zealand v South Africa, Eden Park, Auckland.

September 28:

South Africa v Australia, Newlands Stadium, Cape Town.

Argentina v New Zealand, Estadio Ciudad de La Plata, La Plata.

October 5:

South Africa v New Zealand, Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg.

Argentina v Australia, Estadio Gigante de Arroyito, Rasario.