All Blacks Land In South Africa For Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry
The 30-year wait for the return of a full tour between rugby’s greatest rivals ended this week as the All Blacks arrived in South Africa for the start of an eight-match Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour.
The touring side will be officially welcomed at a Welcome to Country event at DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Friday, a week before taking on the DHL Stormers at the same venue.
Matches against the Hollywoodbets Sharks and Vodacom Bulls will follow before the opening Test at 10bet Ellis Park. The All Blacks will then face the Lions in a midweek fixture before the remaining Tests at DHL Stadium in Cape Town and FNB Stadium in Soweto. The tour concludes with a fourth Test in Baltimore, USA.
The prospect of becoming the first South African provincial team to beat the All Blacks on home soil since the 1976 tour will provide extra motivation for the local franchises.
The Springbok Women will also face the seven-time world champion Black Ferns at FNB Stadium in a double-header that is expected to attract a combined live attendance of more than a quarter of a million spectators during the tour.
Tickets for the provincial matches and the third Test are still available.
“Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry is more than a contest between two proud nations; it is a celebration of history, tradition and the enduring spirit of the game,” said SA Rugby president Mark Alexander.
“Each encounter between South Africa and New Zealand carries with it the weight of decades of competition, respect and shared excellence.
“This rivalry has produced moments that have defined rugby itself – battles of skill, courage and resilience that inspire generations of players and supporters alike. It is a fixture that transcends sport, uniting communities and reminding us of rugby’s power to connect people across borders.
“As custodians of the game, we honour this rivalry not only for its intensity on the field but also for the values it represents: respect, sportsmanship and the pursuit of excellence. Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry is a testament to the enduring bond between our nations and the global significance of our sport.”
Cape Town Executive Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said the city was honoured to host the start of the tour.
“On behalf of the people of Cape Town, and every rugby-loving supporter in South Africa, I wish the touring All Blacks the warmest Cape Town welcome. We love having you here in South Africa, and we are thrilled that you kick off your tour in the most beautiful city of them all.
“As far as I’m concerned, there is no greater sporting spectacle in the world than the Green and Gold against the All Blacks, and the excitement for Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry is unlike anything we’ve experienced in decades.
“I also want our visitors to know that it’s nothing personal. Off the field we will be the perfect hosts and treat you like royalty, but on the field you can expect no mercy, as our Stormers look to become the first South African provincial team in 50 years to beat the All Blacks. To everyone attending the Stormers and Springbok matches at DHL Stadium, I hope you have a wonderful time and cherish this historic occasion.”
The All Blacks were unbeaten in their provincial fixtures during their 1996 tour of South Africa, winning three matches and drawing one. They went on to win the Test series 2-1, securing their first-ever series victory in South Africa.
This time, New Zealand will perform the haka in front of South Africa’s four Vodacom United Rugby Championship franchises and their supporters.
“Most of the URC players weren’t even born when the All Blacks last faced a South African provincial team, which shows just how special this event will be,” said SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer.
“It won’t be repeated in South Africa for another eight years. By then there will have been two more Rugby World Cups and four Nations Championships, which underlines just how unique an opportunity this is for provincial players and supporters.
“The chance to become the first South African provincial team to beat the All Blacks since the Cheetahs, then known as Orange Free State, defeated them 15-10 in September 1976 is something that would be remembered for another 50 years.”
To add a uniquely South African flavour to the four franchise fixtures, SA Rugby launched a schools competition that attracted dozens of passionate entries. The four winning schools will each perform their traditional war cry in response to the All Blacks’ haka before one of the four provincial matches.
Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tour schedule (SA kick-off times)
Friday, 7 August 2026
- 19:10 – DHL Stormers vs All Blacks (DHL Stadium, Cape Town)
Tuesday, 11 August 2026
- 19:10 – Hollywoodbets Sharks vs All Blacks (Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban)
Saturday, 15 August 2026
- 19:10 – Vodacom Bulls vs All Blacks (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
Saturday, 22 August 2026
- 17:10 – Springboks vs All Blacks (First Test, 10bet Ellis Park, Johannesburg)
Tuesday, 25 August 2026
- 19:10 – Lions vs All Blacks (10bet Ellis Park, Johannesburg)
Saturday, 29 August 2026
- 17:10 – Springboks vs All Blacks (Second Test, DHL Stadium, Cape Town)
Saturday, 5 September 2026
- 13:30 – Springbok Women vs Black Ferns (FNB Stadium, Soweto)
- 17:10 – Springboks vs All Blacks (Third Test, FNB Stadium, Soweto)
Saturday, 12 September 2026
- 23:00 – Springboks vs All Blacks (Fourth Test, M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, USA)
