Work is advanced for a second Chilean professional rugby team and it could enter Super Rugby Americas in 2027. In the days leading up to Chile’s historic win over Samoa to qualify for Rugby World Cup 2027, journalist Felipe Caceres Gutierrez interviewed the president of Chile Rugby Federation, Cristián Rudolph.
The interview covered many topics, one of which was that of the creation of a second Chilean franchise in Super Rugby Americas. Rudolph noted that Chile Rugby sees a second franchise as the next step to strengthen international competition for elite positions. He said that if everything goes as planned that entering by 2027 would be the best-case scenario.
Rudolph also noted that where is franchise will be established depends on a variety of factors. Concepción has been speculated as a strong option to give Chile a southern team.
| SUPER RUGBY AMERICAS EXPANSION |
Expansion is confirmed for Super Rugby Americas 2026. The new team will be based in Rosario and be called the Capicaras XV. The team will be the second new franchise in as many years. Los Tarucas played their rookie season in Super Rugby Americas 2025.
The arrival of Capivaras means Argentina will have half of the teams in Super Rugby Americas 2026. This will be new for the South American professional rugby competition. The inaugural season was played in 2020. It featured one team per country: Peñarol (Uruguay), Selknam (Chile), Olímpia Lions (Paraguay), Corinthians (Brazil), and Los Ceibos (Argentina)
Rebranding saw Yacare XV and Os Cobras and becoming the Paraguayan and Brazilian teams and Los Jaguares XV replaced Los Ceibos. Los Cafeteros Pro joined in 2022 and played two seasons, representing Colombia. The American Raptors also played two seasons but, like Los Cafeteros Pro, are now defunct.
Expansion in 2023 saw Los Dogos and Los Pampas entering to give Argentina two teams for the first time. They played out of Córdoba and Buenos Aires. Los Tarucas joined in 2024 and are based in Tucumán. Los Capivaras will be based in Rosario.
A second Chilean team would mean Super Rugby Americas would expand to nine teams. There is presently no such moves from Uruguay; however, the original plans for Uruguay were to have two franchises for the inaugural season in 2020.
