What have we learned from the Rugby Championship?

South Africa backed up their World Cup victory last year with a Rugby Championship title

The southern hemisphere sides have wrapped up the Rugby Championship for another year.

This year's competition saw South Africa reclaim the title for the first time since 2019.

New Zealand, Argentina and Australia all had mixed campaigns under new management.

So what have we learned about all four sides before they head over to the northern hemisphere in November?

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has played at inside centre for club side Stormers

Erasmus finally gets desired championship

Rassie Erasmus' policy of mixing his teams to build the depth of his squad for World Cups has hindered his side's Rugby Championship ambitions in the past, winning only the shortened format in 2019 under his tenure.

This campaign Erasmus named near-enough his strongest side for the opening four rounds, resulting in four victories and their longest winning streak against New Zealand (four) in the professional era.

The Springboks also tested the big-game mentality of Stormers fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. He showed his temperament and massive boot from the kicking tee against Australia and New Zealand before suffering a knee injury.

Fly-half Manie Libbok came in for the 22-year-old against Argentina and missed a late kick to seal the championship a game early. It's an issue that continues to haunt Libbok at international level, and potentially points to the future number 10 being Feinberg-Mngomezulu given his running game and Handre Pollard's injury record.

Erasmus paid the price for leaving the majority of his starting XV at home for the defeat by Argentina in an otherwise perfect campaign in terms of results.

For someone who said he would "rather win the World Cup than sit at an 85% win rate", it will be interesting to see how the 51-year-old manages his squad in November after finally reclaiming the Rugby Championship.

South Africa play Scotland on 10 November, England on 16 November and then Wales on 23 November - what chances of a clean sweep?

McKenzie struggles to nail down 10 shirt

Damian McKenzie missed a crucial kick in New Zealand's 18-12 defeat by South Africa

It has been a tough first season in charge of New Zealand for Scott Robertson.

Three defeats – two against champions South Africa - leave Robertson's side without the Rugby Championship for the first time since 2019. The 50-year-old won seven consecutive Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders, but now finds himself in unfamiliar territory.

Fly-half Richie Mo'unga was Robertson's main man during those title-winning seasons, but his decision to move to Japan to play for Toshiba Brave Lupu left the All Blacks without their number 10.

Robertson picked Damian McKenzie to start at fly-half in five out of their six games, dropping the 29-year-old for the final fixture against Australia in favour of the experienced Beauden Barrett, who helped end a run without a victory in Wellington since 2018.

Conceding 38 points in Wellington in their opening defeat by Argentina - the most at home in their history – despite leading by five points at half-time, was a lesson in game management they hoped McKenzie would learn from.

But in South Africa, New Zealand blew a 10-point lead late on at Ellis Park, and were again narrowly on the wrong side of the rematch.

If Robertson is to continue with McKenzie then his ability to close out crunch games will have to improve.

With England to come on 2 November, is Barrett back in pole position to wear the 10 shirt?

Argentina record best ever championship

Veteran hooker Agustin Creevy scored the decisive try to defeat New Zealand in Wellington

Argentina have taken multiple big scalps in the Rugby Championship since their inclusion in 2012, but have struggled to back up such victories across an entire campaign.

This year they defeated every side for the first time to give themselves an outside chance of winning the title against South Africa in the final game.

The Pumas might have fallen at the final hurdle, but under new head coach Felipe Contepomi they have taken their game to new levels, with their third-place finish being their best in a full six-match Rugby Championship.

The former Argentina fly-half, promoted from an assistant coach when Michael Cheika left after the World Cup, has brought a new attacking flair. That was best demonstrated when they scored 67 points to inflict Australia's heaviest Test defeat.

They also managed to score 38 points in New Zealand, and exploit South Africa out wide in a shock victory that prevented the Springboks lifting the trophy until the final game.

Known as a forward-oriented side, Contepomi has expanded their game to involve their talented outside backs more, with star wing Mateo Carreras grabbing three championship tries.

Argentina will now look to take some significant northern hemisphere scalps when they play Ireland and France during their autumn tour.

A job too big for Schmidt before the Lions?

Joe Schmidt coached Ireland to three Six Nations titles

Following their first pool stage exit at last year's World Cup, Australia were at their lowest point.

Former Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt took the job after Eddie Jones departed for Japan and had a successful summer series against Wales.

However, the Wallabies struggled against better opposition in the Rugby Championship, recording only one victory to finish bottom for the second season running.

That victory against Argentina came from an injury-time Ben Donaldson penalty as Schmidt showed he has at least installed fight in his side, which has been missing in recent years.

Two late scores in Sydney against the All Blacks also nearly resulted in a famous comeback and there was an impressive first-half showing in Wellington.

Australia have scored tries straight from the Schmidt playbook, which he used so often during his time with Ireland, such as Fraser McReight's try off the back of a line-out against New Zealand in Sydney.

The British and Irish Lions will arrive in Australia in less than a year, and if the series is to be competitive Schmidt's side will need to massively improve.

A statement win over either of last year's World Cup finalists would have massively helped build belief.

Australia play Schmidt's former side, coached by Lions boss Andy Farrell, on 30 November after games against the other three home nations.

"It's a bit like when we come up against the All Blacks, you know it's going to be a really tough tour," he added.

"But if we can keep building through that tour, then I think we put ourselves in position of potentially being competitive next July [against the Lions]."