SuperSport is bringing a blockbuster line-up to Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, led by All Blacks icons Richie McCaw and Dan Carter, alongside Springbok legends Jean de Villiers, Schalk Burger, and Steven Kitshoff, and an exceptional team of international and South African talent.
There are sporting rivalries that define generations, and then there are rivalries that become part of the fabric of sport itself.
For more than a century, the Springboks and All Blacks have pushed one another to extraordinary heights, producing some of rugby’s most iconic matches, unforgettable moments and legendary players, and as Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry returns to South Africa, SuperSport is assembling a talent line-up worthy of an occasion of this magnitude.
Leading the charge are two of the greatest All Blacks to have ever played the game, with Richie McCaw and Dan Carter joining SuperSport’s rugby talent line-up for Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, courtesy of SuperSport’s partnership with Sky Sport NZ. The All Blacks greats bring an extraordinary depth of experience, insight and first-hand knowledge of one of the most fiercely contested rivalries in world sport.
Former All Black captain Richie McCaw during the Nations Championship match between New Zealand All Blacks and France at One New Zealand Stadium, on July 04, 2026 in Christchurch, New Zealand.
McCaw, the legendary openside flanker and former All Blacks captain, earned a record 148 test caps for New Zealand and led his country to back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles in 2011 and 2015. A three-time World Rugby Player of the Year, he became synonymous with exceptional leadership, relentless work at the breakdown and the uncompromising standards that defined one of the most successful eras in All Blacks history.
Former New Zealand All Blacks player Dan Carter speaks to the media during the Men's Rugby World Cup 2027 Draw at Channel Nine Studios on December 03, 2025 in Sydney, Australia.
Alongside him will be Dan Carter, widely regarded as one of the greatest fly-halves in rugby history and one of New Zealand’s most influential players. Carter earned 112 test caps for the All Blacks between 2003 and 2015, scored a world-record 1,598 international points and played a pivotal role in two Rugby World Cup triumphs. A three-time World Rugby Player of the Year, his combination of tactical intelligence, precision and composure made him one of the defining players of his generation.
For rugby fans, having McCaw and Carter as part of SuperSport’s coverage offers a rare opportunity to hear the All Blacks story from two men who experienced its biggest stages from the inside.
Former New Zealand player Stephen Donald before the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final match between Ireland and New Zealand at the Stade de France in Paris, France.
They will be joined by another All Blacks World Cup hero, Stephen Donald, whose place in New Zealand rugby folklore was secured when he kicked the decisive penalty in the 2011 Rugby World Cup Final against France, helping the All Blacks secure an 8–7 victory and lift the Webb Ellis Cup.
The international perspective will be complemented by a formidable collection of South African rugby legends, ensuring that the story is told with equal depth from the Springbok side. Jean de Villiers, Schalk Burger and Steven Kitshoff all bring first-hand experience of the demands of international rugby and the unique intensity that comes with facing New Zealand.
Their expertise will form part of a broader SuperSport team that will bring together an exceptional collection of presenters, analysts, commentators and rugby personalities, including Gcobani Bobo, Lyla Arrison, Ricky Schroeder, Tera Mtembu, Maso Jucwa, Hennie Koortzen, Motshidisi Mohono, Breyton Paulse, Mthunzi Mabeta, John van Rensburg, Kobus Wiese, Lonwabo Mthimka, Matt Pearce, Hanyani Shimange, Mandisa Williams, Nick Mallett and Akona Ndungane.
Former player, Jean De Villiers, looks on prior to the 2026 Nations Championship match between South Africa and England at Ellis Park Stadium on July 04, 2026 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
A BROADCAST BUILT FOR RUGBY’S BIGGEST RIVALRY
The scale of the talent line-up reflects SuperSport’s ambition to deliver a viewing experience that matches the significance of the occasion, bringing together people who understand the game from every possible perspective while giving audiences the kind of access and insight that can only come from those who have experienced rugby at the highest level.
SuperSport’s coverage of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry will also feature an enhanced broadcast production, with more than 25 cameras deployed across the coverage, including 18 manned cameras, Ultra Cam, super slow-motion cameras, drone coverage and the Airlink Spidercam. The combination will give viewers a comprehensive perspective of the action, from the intensity of the physical contest to the smallest details that can define a test match.
The broadcast will be available in English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa, ensuring fans can experience the rivalry in the language that best connects them to the game. Coverage will include a one-hour build-up featuring high-profile talent and expert analysis, setting the scene for each test and unpacking the key stories, match-ups and talking points ahead of kick-off.
SuperSport will also deploy its Tactical Zone, using touchscreen technology to provide detailed analysis and break down the key moments of the game, giving viewers a deeper understanding of the tactical battles and decisions that shape the outcome.
In partnership with Sky Sport NZ, SuperSport will also feature respected New Zealand commentators Jeff McTainsh, Justin Marshall and Jeff Wilson, adding a distinctly New Zealand perspective to the coverage.
Ma’a Nonu of the Hollywoodbets Sharks interviewed by Justin Marshall during the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry match between Hollywoodbets Sharks and New Zealand at Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium on August 11, 2026 in Durban, South Africa.
Marshall, a former All Blacks scrum-half, earned 81 test caps for New Zealand and won five Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders, while Wilson represented New Zealand in both rugby and cricket and earned 60 test caps for the All Blacks. McTainsh brings extensive experience as a rugby commentator and a familiar voice from Sky Sport NZ.
The result is a unique blend of South African and New Zealand voices, World Cup winners, former captains, international legends and experienced broadcasters, giving audiences insight from people who have experienced the intensity of the game at the very highest level.
A RIVALRY THAT DEMANDS TO BE EXPERIENCED
Adding to the experience, SuperSport will take fans into the heart of the stadium before each of the three Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tests played in South Africa with a special 30-minute pre-match show hosted by Rudy Paige, airing ahead of the traditional one-hour build-up.
Broadcast live from the stadium, Paige will engage directly with fans and reminisce with them about their favourite Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry memories, while capturing the unique atmosphere and energy across the different South African venues. The show will give audiences a sense of what it feels like to be inside the stadium on match day and part of an historic chapter in the Springbok-All Blacks rivalry.
The pre-match show will be broadcast live on the SuperSport Rugby channel, while also extending the experience to SuperSport’s digital audiences through live streams across YouTube, Facebook and TikTok.
The opening chapters of the tour have already demonstrated the quality and intensity that fans can expect, with the All Blacks defeating the DHL Stormers 38–21 in Cape Town before producing a commanding 54–0 victory over the Hollywoodbets Sharks in Durban, and then going on to defeat the Vodacom Bulls. Now they turn their attention to the opening test against the Springboks at Ellis Park on 22 August, followed by further tests in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Baltimore.
It is a tour that promises drama at every stage, and SuperSport will be there to bring audiences across Africa closer to every moment.
As the Home of Rugby in Africa, SuperSport will combine world-class production, expert analysis, pitch-side reporting, exclusive interviews and immersive storytelling to ensure viewers experience every layer of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.
From the tactical battles and defining moments on the field to the emotion and atmosphere surrounding the matches, the coverage will give fans the opportunity to see, hear and understand the rivalry from every angle.
How We Rugby: Bringing Fans Closer to the People Behind the Rivalry
Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry is about far more than the 80 minutes between the Springboks and All Blacks.
It's about the anticipation that builds before kick-off, the haka, the national anthems, the roar of a South African crowd, the tension before a match-defining kick and the moments of celebration and heartbreak that turn great test matches into sporting memories.
That atmosphere will be a crucial part of SuperSport’s storytelling throughout the tour, with audiences taken beyond the scoreboard and into the emotion and theatre surrounding every encounter. From the energy inside Ellis Park and the unique character of South African rugby supporters to the anticipation that builds as the teams emerge from the tunnel, SuperSport will capture the sights, sounds, personalities and moments that make these matches so compelling.
The opening chapters of the tour have already demonstrated the quality and intensity that fans can expect, with the All Blacks defeating the DHL Stormers 38–21 in Cape Town before producing a commanding 54–0 victory over the Hollywoodbets Sharks in Durban, and then going on to defeat the Vodacom Bulls. Now they turn their attention to the opening test against the Springboks at Ellis Park on 22 August, followed by further tests in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Baltimore.
It is a tour that promises drama at every stage, and SuperSport will be there to bring audiences across Africa closer to every moment.
As the Home of Rugby in Africa, SuperSport will combine world-class production, expert analysis, pitch-side reporting, exclusive interviews and immersive storytelling to ensure viewers experience every layer of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.
From the tactical battles and defining moments on the field to the emotion and atmosphere surrounding the matches, the coverage will give fans the opportunity to see, hear and understand the rivalry from every angle.
SuperSport presenter Motshidisi Mohono in action during the 2025 Castle Lager Incoming Series match between South Africa and Italy at Loftus Versfeld on July 05, 2025 in Pretoria, South Africa.
TAKING RUGBY’S GREATEST RIVALRY BEYOND THE BROADCAST
The Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry experience will extend well beyond the live match, with SuperSport delivering a rich digital content offering that takes fans deeper into the history, personalities, memories and fan culture surrounding one of sport’s greatest rivalries.
What Goes On Tour, hosted by Matthew Pearce, will follow the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series throughout the tour, bringing together Springbok and All Blacks legends each week to reminisce about some of the defining moments of the rivalry over the past 30 years. The first episode features Justin Marshall and Kobus Wiese, while Jeff Wilson and Joel Stransky will feature in episode two. Pearce and “Shimmi” (Shimange) will also wrap up each week with What Goes On Tour weekend recaps from pitch-side, capturing the stories, moments and personalities from each leg of the tour.
SuperSport will also shine a light on the players who helped shape the modern game in The Rise of the Pocket Rockets, with Ricky Schroeder sitting down with former Springboks Brent Russell, Gio Aplon and Breyton Paulse to reflect on how they helped pave the way for the next generation of electric South African backs, including Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Grant Williams and Edwill van der Merwe, among many others. The episode is available on Catch Up.
In a special edition of SuperSport Unplugged, former Springbok half-backs Fourie du Preez and Morne Steyn reunite to revisit their Super Rugby dominance, their experiences touring New Zealand, the famous victories over the All Blacks in 2008 and 2009, and the remarkable partnership that made them one of South Africa’s most formidable half-back combinations.
And bringing the story back to the people who make the rivalry what it is, Fan Frenzy returns with a new look, hosted by Rudy Paige at all three test matches in South Africa. Drawing on elements from SuperSport’s fan-focused content, including Overheard and Matchday, the series will capture the atmosphere, characters and emotions surrounding each test, giving viewers a front-row seat to what it means to experience Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry on the ground as a Springbok or All Blacks fan.
Together, this expanded digital offering ensures that Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry lives far beyond the final whistle, giving fans more stories, more access, more personalities and more ways to experience the history, passion and emotion that make this rivalry unlike any other.
Rendani Ramovha, Senior Vice President for Sports Content in English and Portuguese-speaking Africa at CANAL+, says Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry represents exactly the kind of sporting occasion for which SuperSport is built.
“There are very few sporting rivalries in the world that carry the history, emotion and global significance of South Africa against New Zealand. Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry is exactly that – a rivalry that has defined generations of players and fans and continues to produce extraordinary moments.
“For SuperSport, we wanted to make sure that our coverage reflects the scale of this occasion. Bringing together legends such as Richie McCaw, Dan Carter and Stephen Donald, alongside Springbok greats Jean de Villiers, Schalk Burger, and Steven Kitshoff."
With world-class production, compelling storytelling, unrivalled rugby expertise, the live stadium experience, an expanded digital offering and How We Rugby taking fans behind the scenes and closer to the personalities they know and love, SuperSport will bring audiences across Africa an experience that goes beyond simply watching the game.
YOUR WEEK OF RUGBY ON SUPERSPORT
The rivalry doesn’t only come alive on test match day. In the build-up to each Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry encounter, SuperSport brings fans a full week of rugby, debate, insight and entertainment, with a line-up of shows designed to keep the conversation going right through to kick-off.
MONDAY
Superrugby | 21:00
TUESDAY
Phaka | 19:00
The Verdict | 20:00
FRIDAY
Boks Unpacked | 19:00
SATURDAY – MATCHDAYS
How We Rugby | 09:00
SUNDAY
Final Whistle Presents Side Entry | 19:00
For full broadcast information, results, fixtures, news and analysis, visit www.supersport.com.