The captain of the South Africa rugby team, Siya Kolisi, has described the four-match home series against New Zealand in September 2026 as a “huge” event for the Springboks and for the franchise teams that will face the All Blacks. The announcement of this important series, which marks the All Blacks’ first visit to South Africa in 30 years, has been dubbed “The Greatest Rugby Rivalry.” The Boks will return the visit in 2030, traveling to New Zealand for the first time in their professional era.
Kolisi, who has led the Boks to consecutive World Cup victories, expressed his enthusiasm about it. “These are the tours we’ve only heard about. Experiencing this for the first time, as a Lions tour, is incredible for us as a group.” “I have no doubt that Springbok fans will be there waiting to welcome All Blacks fans to South Africa. Let’s get excited, let’s support it, and, people of South Africa, it’s an opportunity for us to show the world once again who we are and what we are about, we certainly can’t wait!”This is going to be something huge and something this generation will never forget.
Siya Kolisi
Barrett added that the intensity is high and that it is shaping up to be a fantastic tour. Here are the matches of the “The Greatest Rugby Rivalry” tour:This is a great rivalry, and one that is based on mutual respect, but for 80 minutes these are two teams that give it their all every time they play.
Scott Barrett
- Friday, August 7: DHL Stormers vs. New Zealand at DHL Stadium, Cape Town
- Tuesday, August 11: Hollywoodbets Sharks vs. New Zealand at Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
- Saturday, August 15: Vodacom Bulls vs. New Zealand at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
- Saturday, August 22: First Test – South Africa vs. New Zealand at Ellis Park, Johannesburg
- Tuesday, August 25: Lions vs. New Zealand at Ellis Park, Johannesburg
- Saturday, August 29: Second Test – South Africa vs. New Zealand at DHL Stadium, Cape Town
- Saturday, September 5: Third Test – South Africa vs. New Zealand at FNB Stadium, Johannesburg
- Saturday, September 12: Fourth Test – South Africa vs. New Zealand (venue to be announced)
