By Nick Said CAPE TOWN (Reuters) -As if the pain of a first defeat to Australia at Ellis Park in 62 years was not enough, South Africa face a heavy injury toll from the 38-22 defeat in Saturday’s Rugby Championship opener,

Vodacom and SA Rugby have signed a landmark partnership agreement, naming Vodacom the first and exclusive official telecommunications partner to all national Springbok teams and SA Rugby affiliated competitions.

The annual Rugby Championship, featuring World Cup title-holders South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Argentina, kicks off on Saturday amid uncertainty over its future.

The hardiness of green shoots cultivated by the Wallabies in their test series against the British and Irish Lions will be tested by the storm they're likely to face against the World Cup champion Springboks in the first round of The Rugby Championship.

Over the weekend, the Proteas, the Springboks, and UFC fighter Dricus du Plessis lost their matches, which left many South African fans heartbroken.

Four leading South Africa internationals have signed up to play in the new R360 league after an explosion of interest from players following the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia.

The southern hemisphere competition reaches the end of an era with change on the way – but there is optimism for a strong campaign for each competing nation

Edinburgh Rugby prop Boan Venter won his second cap for South Africa, coming on as a 59th-minute replacement for Ox Nche, but he and his teammate were unable to fend off their visitors.

Wallabies’ enforcer Will Skelton is delaying his return to Europe in the hope of extending his involvement in The Rugby Championship following Australia’s historic win over South Africa.

The Wallabies recovered from 22-0 down to prevail 38-22 and record their first triumph over the Springboks at Ellis Park since 1963. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.