Springboks Rugby

CONFIRMED; All Blacks and Springboks Bring Back Full Old School Tours!

SA Rugby and NZ Rugby have reached a formal agreement for the All Blacks to travel South Africa on an eight-match tour itinerary in 2026.

The well-documented story of the Springboks and All Blacks’ fierce rivalry has just attained another chapter with the news that full tours the sides will resume in 2026.

This is according to a report by the Daily Maverick‘s Craig Ray, these tours, marketed as ‘The Greatest Rugby Rivalry’, aim to reignite the historic battles between two of rugby’s most dominant nations.

It is understood that the All Blacks’ first full tour to the Republic in 30 years will feature eight matches: three Tests, four games against South Africa’s URC teams, and a match against the SA ‘A’.

A fourth Test, outside of South Africa, is believed to also planned, likely in London or North America. The Boks will then embark on a similar tour to New Zealand in 2030.

Daily Maverick initially reported on the resumption of these tours, and the commercial groundwork has now been set.

SA RUGBY BOSS ON THE RETURN OF OLD SCHOOL TOURS

SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer was quoted in the article, saying, “I just spent two days with the New Zealand leadership in what we are calling the Greatest Rugby Rivalry… We have signed a memorandum of understanding and we are in the planning phases now.”

“We met with the commercial brokers on setting the commercial property, the sponsorship matrix… It is a collaboration of two unions that have agreed to work together off the field. We believe we have to be closer – and we have never been close.”

Oberholzer emphasised that SARU and NZR are focusing on long-term sustainability: “We have such a challenge in rugby with funding, so we have to create our own opportunities.”

The tours will impact the Rugby Championship in 2026 and 2030, likely reducing the tournament to a single round.

ARE YOU EXCITED ABOUT THE ALL BLACKS TOURING SA?

Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this Springbok and All Blacks article or by emailing info@thesouthafrican.com or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.

You can also follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button