The New Zealand All Blacks have officially announced their 2026 tour of South Africa, following SANZAAR’s confirmation of the next five years of Southern Hemisphere rugby fixtures. Rugby fans are in for a historic season as the All Blacks gear up for three Tests against the Springboks, plus a fourth match at a neutral venue yet to be revealed.
Overview of the All Blacks 2026 South Africa Tour
In a throwback to classic rugby tours, the All Blacks will also face four South African provincial teams. The fixtures, scheduled for August and September 2026, temporarily replace the Rugby Championship on the Southern Hemisphere calendar, creating a unique and thrilling season for international rugby followers.
Following SANZAAR’s announcement of Southern Hemisphere fixtures for the next five years, the All Blacks have finalized their tour schedule. This tour will temporarily replace the Rugby Championship in 2026, giving fans a unique opportunity to watch New Zealand face South Africa in both provincial and Test matches.
Key Highlights of the Tour
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Three official Tests against the Springboks
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One additional Test at a neutral venue (TBC)
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Four provincial matches in August and September 2026
- Exclusive live coverage on Stan Sport
Where to Watch: Stan Sport Live Rugby
Fans can catch every game of the Wallabies Autumn Nations Series live and exclusively on Stan Sport, ensuring full coverage of the 2026 tour. All games of the 2026 tour, including the Wallabies Autumn Nations Series, will be available live and exclusively on Stan Sport, giving fans full coverage of every clash.
Rugby Championship Returns in 2027
The traditional four-team Rugby Championship, featuring powerhouse nations Australia and Argentina, will return in 2027, reinstating the Southern Hemisphere competition format fans know and love.
All Blacks vs Springboks – Rivalry Continues
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi described the upcoming tour as “something huge and something this generation will never forget.” Kolisi added, “These are the tours we’ve only heard of. To experience this for the first time, where it’s like a British & Irish Lions tour, is unbelievable for us as a group.”
All Blacks captain Scott Barrett also shared his anticipation, reflecting on the rivalry after New Zealand’s 43-10 loss to South Africa in Wellington this year. Barrett said, “This is a huge rivalry, founded on mutual respect, but for 80 minutes, everything is on the line. The intensity is right up there, and it is shaping up to be a heck of a tour.”
Historic Multi-Fixture Provincial Matches
The 2026 tour revives the old tradition of multi-fixture tours. Before the main Tests, the All Blacks will face four provincial sides:
Provincial Match Schedule
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August 7: Stormers vs All Blacks, Cape Town
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August 11: Sharks vs All Blacks, Durban
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August 15: Bulls vs All Blacks, Pretoria
These provincial games allow the All Blacks to prepare for the high-intensity Test matches while offering South African fans a chance to see their local teams face one of the world’s most dominant rugby nations.
Test Series Against South Africa
The main Test series begins with the first clash at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on August 22, followed by a midweek match against the Lions on August 25 at the Highveld. New Zealand then faces the Springboks in consecutive weekends:
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August 22: South Africa vs All Blacks, Ellis Park, Johannesburg
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August 25: Lions vs All Blacks, Highveld
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August 29: South Africa vs All Blacks, Cape Town
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September 5: South Africa vs All Blacks, FNB Stadium, Johannesburg (94,000 capacity)
- September 12: South Africa vs All Blacks, neutral venue (TBC)
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Future Reciprocal Tour
The Springboks are scheduled to tour New Zealand in 2030, continuing the historic rivalry between these rugby powerhouses.
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