The 2026 New Zealand rugby union tour of South Africa (), promoted as Rugby's Greatest Rivalry (), was an international rugby union tour that took place mostly in South Africa, with one match in the United States, between 07 August and 12 September 2026.
The tour was confirmed in October 2025, and meant a restructuring of the Rugby Championship, the annual Southern Hemisphere men's rugby union competition organised by SANZAAR, which features the national teams of Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, which was axed for 2026 and 2030.
Alongside the New Zealand tour was a South Africa women vs. New Zealand women match at FNB Stadium on 5 September, ahead of the third test. It is the first time in the pair's history that the Freedom Cup has been contested over four tests.
Background and history
Since the earliest years of international rugby union, it was customary for the three former British dominions of Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa to undertake reciprocal touring arrangements. Between 1903 and 1995, Australia and New Zealand alone conducted more than forty tours of one another, while South Africa hosted Australia and New Zealand on five and six occasions respectively between 1928 and New Zealand's controversial 1976 tour.
During the mid to late twentieth century, this system of extended, bilateral tours was periodically expanded to include the rugby nations of Europe (Great Britain: England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland and France). Throughout his period, international rugby was defined by these lengthy tours and persisted until the introduction of the quadrennial Rugby World Cup (RWC) in 1987. However, the sporting boycotts imposed on South Africa in response to apartheid resulted in the Springboks playing very few international fixtures throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Following their readmission to international rugby in the early 1990s, the country hosted and participated in its first Rugby World Cup in 1995 (the third tournament in the competition's history). That same year marked the formal professionalisation of rugby union. In 1995, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa established a joint union, SANZAR, and established the annual Tri Nations Series (now known as the Rugby Championship), effectively ending the traditional touring practice.
The Daily Maverick reported in February 2024 that "advanced talks" were taking place between the South African Rugby Union (SARU) and New Zealand Rugby (NZR) about a possible return of traditional tours between New Zealand and South Africa, with initial talks having been brokered in August 2022 in Johannesburg. It was reported by The Australian in 2026 that "the vision of the tour started in late 2021, but it was only when NZR and SARU officials met during a two-week tour in 2022 that it gathered pace."
SABC Sport later reported in May 2024 that traditional tours between New Zealand and South Africa were set to resume in 2026 on a four-year reciprocal cycle, with the SARU and NZR believed to have reached an in-principle agreement. It was also reported that the two unions had been in discussions since 2023 regarding the revival of the historic tours, which was confirmed by the SARU president Mark Alexander and NZR chief executive Mark Robinson. According to the report, New Zealand were scheduled to tour South Africa in 2026 for a three-test series, alongside five mid-week matches against the four South African United Rugby Championship (URC) provincial teams (Bulls, Lions, Sharks, Stormers), alongside a fixture against South Africa A. In September 2024, the Daily Maverick reported that "formal agreements" between the SARU and NZR had been made, confirming the return of the traditional tour. It was revealed to be a New Zealand eight-match tour of South Africa, including four test matches, with one set to be played at a neutral venue. The tour itself was officially confirmed in October 2025, and revealed the specific details of fixtures to be played as well as venues.
Schedule A general tour outline was revealed during news reports throughout 2024. The full tour schedule was revealed on 16 October 2025.
Date Home team Score Away team Venue Details 7 August (Friday) Stormers 21–38 Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town Match details 11 August (Tuesday) Sharks 0–54 Kings Park Stadium, Durban Match details 15 August (Saturday) Bulls 19–50 Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria Match details 22 August (Saturday) 16–33 Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg Match details 25 August (Tuesday) Lions 35–41 Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg Match details 29 August (Saturday) 33–26 Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town Match details 5 September (Saturday) 29–24 FNB Stadium, Johannesburg Match details 12 September (Saturday) 43–28 M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore (United States) Match details
Venues Tour venues were first speculated by SABC Sport in May 2024, with a report stating that: "A fourth Test match between the two sides [South Africa, New Zealand] is also set to be hosted at a neutral venue, with the Springboks then touring New Zealand in 2030." All of the matches hosted in South Africa were confirmed on 16 October 2025 after both the South African Rugby Union (SARU) and New Zealand Rugby (NZR) announced the return of the traditional tour. In the announcement the venues were confirmed to be Ellis Park Stadium, FNB Stadium, Cape Town Stadium, Kings Park Stadium, and Loftus Versfeld Stadium. Two of the four tests are to be played in Johannesburg, with one to be played in Cape Town. A fourth test venue was at first not announced, and was reportedly on neutral territory. Speculation by media sources has pointed to Twickenham Stadium in London, and Croke Park in Dublin. In January 2026, the neutral venue was confirmed to be the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, United States, home to the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. It is the first time the two teams have met each other in the United States.
Johannesburg, Gauteng Cape Town, Western Cape Durban, KwaZulu-NatalEllis Park StadiumFNB StadiumCape Town StadiumKings Park StadiumCapacity: 62,500Capacity: 95,000Capacity: 58,000Capacity: 46,000 Pretoria, GautengLoftus Versfeld StadiumCapacity: 51,762
Squads New Zealand On 27 July, New Zealand named a 44-player squad ahead of the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry tour of South Africa.
Coaching team: Head coach: Dave Rennie Senior assistant coach: Neil Barnes Forwards coach: Jason Ryan Defence coach: Tana Umaga Attack coach: Mike Blair Head of performance: Phil Healey
Note: Ages and clubs are listed as of the first tour match on 7 August against the Stormers. George Bell was initially a part of the squad but suffered a calf strain before the first game against the Stormers, and was therefore ruled out of the tour. Bradley Slater replaced him. Billy Proctor was a part of the squad and played against the Stormers, but suffered a shoulder blade fracture during that game and was ruled out of the remainder of the tour. Richie Mo'unga was announced as his replacement. Caleb Clarke was a part of the squad and played against the Stormers and the Sharks, but suffered a ruptured shoulder tendon during the Sharks game and was ruled out of the remainder of the tour. He was not replaced. Ollie Norris was a part of the squad but suffered a knee injury and was ruled out of the remainder of the tour. He was replaced by Saula Ma'u. Cortez Ratima picked up a knee injury during the 3rd game of the tour against the Bulls, however was not returned home. Noah Hotham was brought in as injury cover. Ethan de Groot and Josh Lord collided head to head during the first test match against the Springboks, and were subsequently taken off the field. Both players are going through World Rugby's concussion protocols, while Ofa Tu'ungafasi and Jamie Hannah were brought in as injury cover. Anton Segner suffered inflammatory arthritis in his ankle before the first test match against the Springboks and was substituted in that game by Simon Parker. He later received surgery and was subsequently ruled out of the remainder of the tour. He was not replaced.
South Africa On 22 July 2026, South Africa named a 43-player squad ahead of their test match against and the four tests against New Zealand.
Coaching team: Head coach: Rassie Erasmus Attack coach: Tony Brown Defence coach: Jerry Flannery Forwards coach: Deon Davids Backs coach: Mzwandile Stick Assistant coach: Duane Vermeulen Assistant coach: Felix Jones Scrum consultant: Daan Human Strength And Conditioning Coach: Andy Edwards Laws Advisor: Jaco Peyper
Note: Ages and clubs are listed as of the first test match on 22 August.
Matches Stormers v New Zealand
Team details FB 15 Warrick GelantRW 14 Seabelo SenatlaOC 13 Ruhan Nel (c) IC 12 Jonathan RocheLW 11 Leolin ZasFH 10 Yaqeen AhmedSH 9 Imad Khan N8 8 Evan RoosOF 7 Hacjivah DayimaniBF 6 Deon Fourie RL 5 Connor EvansLL 4 Adré Smith TP 3 Neethling Fouché HK 2 Andre-Hugo Venter LP 1 Vernon Matongo Substitutions:HK 16 JJ Kotze PR 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu PR 18 Herman Lubbe BR 19 Ruan Ackermann BR 20 Keke Morabe BR 21 Wandile Mlaba SH 22 Dewaldt Duvenage CE 23 Wandisile Simelane Coach: John Dobson FB 15Josh Moorby RW 14Leroy CarterOC 13Billy Proctor IC 12Anton Lienert-Brown LW 11Rieko IoaneFH 10Beauden Barrett SH 9 Cortez Ratima N8 8 Peter LakaiOF 7 Anton Segner BF 6 Simon Parker RL 5 Patrick Tuipulotu (c)LL 4 Fabian Holland TP 3 Pasilio Tosi HK 2 Samisoni Taukei'aho LP 1 George Bower Substitutions:HK 16Asafo Aumua PR 17Ollie Norris PR 18Siale Lauaki LK 19Sam Darry BR 20Ethan Blackadder SH 21Kyle Preston FH 22Josh Jacomb WG 23Caleb Clarke Coach: Dave Rennie Player of the Match: Anton Lienert-Brown (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Matthew Carley (England) Hollie Davidson (Scotland) Television match official: Andrew Jackson (England) Foul play review officer: Mike Adamson (Scotland)
Sharks v New Zealand
Team details FB 15 Zekhethelo SiyayaRW 14 Donavan Don OC 13 Jurenzo JuliusIC 12 Murray Koster LW 11 Litelihle BesterFH 10 Vusi MoyoSH 9 Bradley Davids N8 8 Nick Hatton (c)OF 7 Emmanuel TshitukaBF 6 Phepsi Buthelezi RL 5 Deon SlabbertLL 4 Hendré Stassen TP 3 Vincent Koch HK 2 Eduan Swart LP 1 Nemo Roelofse Substitutions:HK 16 Liam van Wyk PR 17 Phiwayinkosi Kubheka PR 18 Simphiwe Ngobese LK 19 Corne Rahl BR 20 Matt Romao SH 21 Ivan van Zyl FB 22 Luan Giliomee CE 23 Ma'a Nonu Coach: JP Pietersen FB 15Damian McKenzie RW 14Fehi FineanganofoOC 13Quinn TupaeaIC 12Jordie Barrett LW 11Caleb ClarkeFH 10Ruben LoveSH 9 Kyle Preston N8 8 Wallace Sititi OF 7 Luke Jacobson (c)BF 6 Tupou Vaa'i RL 5 Sam DarryLL 4 Josh LordTP 3 Fletcher Newell HK 2 Asafo Aumua LP 1 Ethan de Groot Substitutions:HK 16Bradley Slater PR 17Ollie Norris PR 18Pasilio Tosi LK 19Ethan Blackadder BR 20Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa SH 21Cortez Ratima CE 22Timoci Tavatavanawai WG 23Emoni Narawa Coach: Dave Rennie Player of the Match: Jordie Barrett (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England) Hollie Davidson (Scotland) Television match official: Mike Adamson (Scotland) Foul play review officer: Andrew Jackson (England)
Bulls v New Zealand