The All Blacks have touched down in South Africa to begin an eight-match tour — the first full touring programme between the two nations since 1996. The touring party will be welcomed at a formal Welcome to Country event at DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Friday before the rugby begins in earnest.

The itinerary takes in provincial matches against the Stormers (Cape Town), Sharks and Bulls, a midweek fixture against the Lions, and three Tests on South African soil — at Ellis Park and DHL Stadium and FNB Stadium — before the tour concludes with a fourth Test in Baltimore, USA. The Springbok Women also feature, meeting the Black Ferns at FNB Stadium in a double-header that SA Rugby expects will take cumulative live attendance across the tour past 250,000.

The provincial carrot is considerable: no South African franchise has beaten the All Blacks on home soil since the 1976 tour — a 50-year drought that SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer says sharpens the stakes for every URC side involved. "Most of the URC players weren't alive when the All Blacks last appeared against a provincial team, which shows just how special this event will be," Oberholzer said. He added that the tour will not be repeated in South Africa for another eight years, underlining its singular nature for players and supporters.

On the 1996 tour, New Zealand went unbeaten through the provincial programme — winning three and drawing one — before claiming the Test series two matches to one, their first series victory in South Africa.

SA Rugby president Mark Alexander framed the occasion in broader terms. "Rugby's Greatest Rivalry is more than a contest between two proud nations; it is a celebration of history, tradition and the enduring spirit of the game," he said. "This rivalry has produced moments that have defined rugby itself — battles of skill, courage and resilience that inspire generations of players and supporters alike."

Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis struck a more combative note, welcoming the tourists warmly while warning that the Stormers intend to end the provincial hoodoo. "Off the field we will be the perfect hosts and treat you like royalty, but on the field, you can expect no mercy," he said.

Tickets for the provincial matches and the third Test remain on sale.