Starting gun fired on rugby’s own ‘Odyssey’

A 30-year wait for the resumption of tours between rugby’s greatest rivals, ended this week with the arrival of the touring All Blacks in South Africa for the start of an eight-match odyssey.

The All Blacks will be hosted at a Welcome to Country event at DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Friday – a week before meeting the DHL Stormers at the same venue.

Matches against the Hollywoodbets Sharks and Vodacom Bulls will precede the first test at 10bet Ellis Park before a final midweek match against the Lions. Tests at the DHL and FNB Stadiums follow before the Tour decamps en masse for a fourth test in Baltimore, USA.

The lure of becoming the first South African provincial team to beat the All Blacks in South Africa since the 1976 tour will be a significant lure for the local teams.

The Springbok Women will also meet the seven-time world champion Black Ferns at FNB Stadium in a double-header event that will take the live attendance audience to more than a quarter of a million during the Tour.

Tickets for the provincial matches and 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 Mr Mark Alexander, President of SA Rugby.

“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.”

Mr Geordin Hill-Lewis, Executive Mayor of the City of Cape Town, said, “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 provincial SA team in 50 years to beat the All Blacks.

"To everyone attending the Stormers and Springbok matches here at DHL Cape Town Stadium, may you have a wonderful time and cherish this historic occasion.”

New Zealand were unbeaten in their provincial matches on their 1996 Tour, winning three and drawing one. They won the test series – their first series victory in South Africa – by two tests to one.

This time, the All Blacks will perform the haka in front of South Africa’s four Vodacom United Rugby Championship teams and crowds.

“Most of the URC players weren’t alive when the All Blacks last appeared against a provincial team which shows just how special this event will be,” said Rian Oberhozler, CEO of SA Rugby.

“It won’t be repeated here for another eight years by which time there’ll have been two more Rugby World Cups and four Nations Championships which underlines just what a unique opportunity it will be for provincial players and fans.

“The prospect of perhaps becoming the first South African provincial team to beat the All Blacks since the Cheetahs [then Orange Free State] beat them 15-10 in September 1976 would be a boast that would last for another 50 years.”

To give the four franchise matches a distinctive local flavour, SA Rugby launched a competition for schools which has seen scores of impassioned and vibrant submissions. The four selected winning schools will be given the opportunity to perform their war-cry as an answer to the All Blacks’ haka at each of the four franchise matches.

RGR schedule (SA kick-off times):

Friday 7 August 2026

7:10pm: DHL Stormers vs All Blacks – DHL Stadium, Cape Town

Tuesday, 11 August 2026

7:10pm: Hollywoodbets Sharks vs All Blacks – Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban

Saturday, 15 August 2026

7:10pm: Vodacom Bulls vs All Blacks – Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

Saturday 22 August 2026

5:10pm: Springboks vs All Blacks – 10bet Ellis Park, Johannesburg (First Test)

Tuesday, 25 August 2026

7:10pm: Lions vs All Blacks – 10bet Ellis Park, Johannesburg

Saturday, 29 August 2026