Thirty years after the All Blacks last embarked on a full-scale tour of South Africa, Rugby's Greatest Rivalry finally arrives this week as rugby's two most successful nations renew a contest that has shaped the sport for more than a century. The eight-match tour will see New Zealand face all four South African Vodacom URC franchises before a four test series against the world champion Springboks.
More than just a series of matches, Rugby's Greatest Rivalry has been designed to revive the traditional touring format that helped make Springboks versus All Blacks the game's ultimate contest. It offers players and supporters the chance to experience something generations of rugby fans grew up with, but which has largely disappeared in the professional era.
The rivalry itself is built on far more than results. Across more than 100 years, South Africa and New Zealand have produced countless moments of drama, controversy, excellence, and sporting theatre. It is a fixture steeped in history, yet one that continues to define rugby's present and future every time the teams take the field.
For South Africa's provincial teams, the tour represents a once in a lifetime opportunity. The DHL Stormers, Hollywoodbets Sharks, Vodacom Bulls and Lions will each get the chance to test themselves against one of the most iconic teams in world sport while trying to achieve a feat that very few sides have managed: beating the All Blacks.
The occasion will also see supporters experience one of rugby's most recognisable traditions as the haka returns to South African provincial grounds. The chance to face New Zealand, their history and everything that comes with the black jersey adds extra significance to every fixture on the schedule.
The four test matches promise to provide the centrepiece of the tour. Led by Siya Kolisi, the Springboks will look to defend their status as the world's leading side, while the All Blacks arrive determined to preserve one of the most celebrated legacies in international sport. Whenever these teams meet, form and rankings matter far less than what unfolds over 80 minutes.
The tour also includes a major occasion for the women's game, with the Springbok Women taking on the seven time world champion Black Ferns at FNB Stadium ahead of the third men's test. Combined attendances throughout the tour are expected to exceed 250 000 spectators, underlining the scale of the event.
For rugby supporters, this is as big as it gets. There are rivalries, and then there is Springboks versus All Blacks. It is a contest defined by respect, intensity, passion and history, and one that continues to captivate the rugby world. Rugby's Greatest Rivalry is back, and another chapter is about to be written.
Broadcast schedule
All matches will be shown live on SuperSport Grandstand and SuperSport Rugby, with a one hour live build up from the venue ahead of every fixture.
Fixtures (SA 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 (First Test)
10bet Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Tuesday, 25 August 2026
7:10pm: Lions vs All Blacks
10bet Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Saturday, 29 August 2026
5:10pm: Springboks vs All Blacks (Second Test)
DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Saturday, 5 September 2026
1:30pm: Springbok Women vs Black Ferns
FNB Stadium, Soweto
5:10pm: Springboks vs All Blacks (Third Test)
FNB Stadium, Soweto
Saturday, 12 September 2026
11pm: Springboks vs All Blacks (Fourth Test)
M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, USA
Match officials
Stormers v New Zealand
DHL Stadium, Cape Town | Friday, 7 August
Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
Assistant referees: Matthew Carley (England), Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
TMO: Andrew Jackson (England)
FPRO: Mike Adamson (Scotland) Sharks v New Zealand
Kings Park, Durban | Tuesday, 11 August
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England), Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
TMO: Mike Adamson (Scotland)
FPRO: Andrew Jackson (England)
Bulls v New Zealand
Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria | Saturday, 15 August
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England), Matthew Carley (England)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)
FPRO: Mike Adamson (Scotland)
South Africa v New Zealand (First Test)
Ellis Park, Johannesburg | Saturday, 22 August
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England), Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
TMO: Mike Adamson (Scotland)
FPRO: Eric Gauzins (France)
Lions v New Zealand
Ellis Park, Johannesburg | Tuesday, 25 August
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England), Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
TMO: Brett Cronan (Australia)
FPRO: Eric Gauzins (France)
South Africa v New Zealand (Second Test)
DHL Stadium, Cape Town | Saturday, 29 August
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England), Angus Gardner (Australia)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)
FPRO: Brett Cronan (Australia)
South Africa v New Zealand (Third Test)
FNB Stadium, Johannesburg | Saturday, 5 September
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referees: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia), Christophe Ridley (England)
TMO: Brett Cronan (Australia)
FPRO: Eric Gauzins (France)
South Africa v New Zealand (Fourth Test)
M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore | Saturday, 12 September
Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
Assistant referees: Matthew Carley (England), Christophe Ridley (England)
TMO: Andrew Jackson (England)
FPRO: Matteo Liperini (Italy)