New Zealand to tour South Africa in 2026

Formal agreements have been reached between South Africa and New Zealand for full tours to resume between the Springboks and All Blacks. It will be marketed as “The Greatest Rugby Rivalry”.

Eight matches – including three Tests, four contests against United Rugby Championship (URC) clubs and one match against SA “A” will mark the All Blacks’ first full tour to South Africa in 30 years when they arrive in 2026.

There will be a fourth Test, but that will be staged outside of South Africa – probably played in London, or North America – that won’t form part of the official series.

These are the broad details of a deal between the South African Rugby Union (Saru) and New Zealand Rugby (NZR) to strengthen connections between the old foes.

The first series under this new agreement will be played in South Africa in 2026, marking the 30th anniversary of the All Blacks’ last tour to the Republic in 1996. Sean Fitzpatrick’s men won that series 2-1, becoming the first All Black team to ever win a series in South Africa.

The Boks will tour New Zealand in 2030, with a similar eight-match schedule. The 1937 tourists remain the only Springbok team to win a series in New Zealand