Rugby fans, brace yourselves for a historic showdown! The highly anticipated alternating quadrennial tour between South Africa and New Zealand, branded as Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, has been officially announced. The inaugural 2026 edition will see the Springboks host the All Blacks from August to September, delivering an unforgettable series of matches across South Africa.
Full Tour Fixtures & Venues
The All Blacks kick off the tour against top South African franchises before engaging in four epic Test clashes with the Springboks. Here’s the complete 2026 schedule:
Friday, 07 August – DHL Stormers vs New Zealand at DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Tuesday, 11 August – Hollywoodbets Sharks vs New Zealand at Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
Saturday, 15 August – Vodacom Bulls vs New Zealand at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Saturday, 22 August – First Test: South Africa vs New Zealand at Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Tuesday, 25 August – Lions vs New Zealand at Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Saturday, 29 August – Second Test: South Africa vs New Zealand at DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Saturday, 05 September – Third Test: South Africa vs New Zealand at FNB Stadium, Johannesburg
Saturday, 12 September – Fourth Test: South Africa vs New Zealand (neutral venue to be announced)
This format blends high-octane franchise games with intense international Tests, reviving the classic touring tradition that rugby fans have long cherished.
Historic Context & Significance
The 2026 tour marks 30 years since New Zealand's last major South African tour, which featured an eight-match schedule and concluded with a historic 2-1 Test series victory for the All Blacks. The reciprocal 2030 tour will see South Africa visiting New Zealand for the first professional-era tour, further cementing the rivalry.
Back-to-back Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok captain Siya Kolisi said: “This is going to be something huge and something this generation will never forget. These are the tours we’ve only heard of. To experience this for the first time, where it’s like a Lions tour, is unbelievable for us as a group.”
Tickets & Priority Access
Tickets, including match bundles, will go on general sale early next year. Fans can sign up for priority access and pre-sale notifications at greatest-rivalry.com to secure their seats for this once-in-a-generation rugby spectacle.
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