The Tri-Nations championship has undergone a name change ahead of Argentina's inclusion in next year's tournament.

From 2012, the competition will be known as The Rugby Championship.

An agreement confirming Argentina's participation was recently signed in Auckland by the South Africa, New Zealand and Australia Rugby (SANZAR) Joint Venture partners after negotiations with the Union Argentina de Rugby and the International Rugby Board.

The tournament has been given a new name and a new fixture schedule, with two Tests on each match day.

"The regular participation of Argentina at a higher level is long overdue and we are excited about their inclusion in The Rugby Championship," said SANZAR CEO Greg Peters.

"Playing in the Championship will have significant benefits for Argentinian rugby as a whole and will bring new energy to the jewel in the crown of SANZAR.

"The Pumas, as they showed at the recent Rugby World Cup, play an exciting and different brand of rugby to the other three teams, which will definitely add a new dimension."

The Rugby Championship 2012 fixtures:

August 18, 2012: Australia vs. New Zealand, South Africa vs. Argentina
August 25, 2012: New Zealand vs. Australia, Argentina vs. South Africa
September 8, 2012: Australia vs. South Africa, New Zealand vs. Argentina
September 15, 2012: Australia vs. Argentina, New Zealand vs. South Africa
September 29, 2012: South Africa vs. Australia, Argentina vs. New Zealand
October 6, 2012: South Africa vs. New Zealand, Argentina vs. Australia