South Africa will welcome New Zealand in 2026 for a historic chapter of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.
The Springboks and All Blacks have built one of the biggest rivalries in international rugby. Now, the two teams are ready to meet again in a unique rugby tour.
The eight-match programme features four Tests between South Africa and New Zealand. The All Blacks will also face four South African provincial teams.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Michael Davey looks at the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry schedule, including fixtures, venues and match times.
What is Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry?
Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry is the name given to New Zealand’s 2026 tour of South Africa.
The tour features eight matches across five weeks. New Zealand will play the Springboks four times during the series.
The All Blacks will also face four United Rugby Championship teams. Those sides are the Stormers, Sharks, Bulls and Lions.
The first three Test matches will take place in South Africa. The final Test will then move to Baltimore, Maryland.
The tour also brings back a traditional style of international rugby. New Zealand will tour South Africa for the first time since 1996.
The format gives the All Blacks a chance to test themselves against both provincial and international opposition.
What is the 2026 Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry schedule?
The 2026 Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry schedule begins in Cape Town on August 7. It ends in Baltimore on September 12.
The tour will visit Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria and Johannesburg. The final Test will take place in Baltimore, Maryland.
Here are the 2026 Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry fixtures, venues and times:
- 7 August – 19:00 SAST / 18:00 BST: Stormers vs All Blacks, DHL Stadium, Cape Town
- 11 August – 19:00 SAST / 18:00 BST: Sharks vs All Blacks, Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
- 15 August – 19:00 SAST / 18:00 BST: Bulls vs All Blacks, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
- 22 August – 17:10 SAST / 16:10 BST: Springboks vs All Blacks, Ellis Park, Johannesburg – first Test
- 25 August – 19:00 SAST / 18:00 BST: Lions vs All Blacks, Ellis Park, Johannesburg
- 29 August – 17:10 SAST / 16:10 BST: Springboks vs All Blacks, DHL Stadium, Cape Town – second Test
- 5 September – 17:10 SAST / 16:10 BST: Springboks vs All Blacks, FNB Stadium, Johannesburg – third Test
- 12 September – 23:00 SAST / 22:00 BST / 17:00 EDT: Springboks vs All Blacks, M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore – fourth Test
The schedule gives fans four chances to watch the Springboks and All Blacks compete. It also gives supporters an opportunity to see some of South Africa’s leading provincial teams face New Zealand.
The final match in Baltimore adds another international dimension to the tour.
Why are South Africa and New Zealand rugby rivals?
The Springboks and All Blacks first met in 1921. New Zealand won that match 13-5 in Dunedin.
Since then, the rivalry has become one of the most important in world rugby. Both nations have enjoyed long periods of success on the international stage.
Their matches often carry major consequences. The two teams have also met twice in Rugby World Cup finals.
South Africa won the 1995 final in Johannesburg by 15-12. The Springboks then beat New Zealand 12-11 in the 2023 final in Paris.
The overall head-to-head record remains close. New Zealand have recorded 63 wins from 110 Tests, while South Africa have won 43. The teams have drawn four times.
The rivalry has therefore produced some of rugby’s most memorable matches.
The 2026 tour adds another chapter to that history. The four-Test series will give both teams another chance to establish themselves as the leading force in world rugby.
MORE ON RGR: Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry: Everything you need to know about the Springboks vs All Blacks tour
