The All Blacks have touched down in Cape Town for a six-week, eight-match tour that represents their first prolonged exposure to South African rugby since the Republic's franchises departed Super Rugby. Forty-three of the 44-strong squad arrived in the Mother City ahead of Friday's clash with the Stormers at DHL Stadium, where they received a warm reception at a tour arrival event.
Tour captain Codie Taylor made no secret of his frustration at the loss of regular competition against South African sides, describing the absence as something that "sucks" for New Zealand rugby. The hooker, who last faced South African opposition in Super Rugby six years ago, emphasised the unique challenge posed by teams from the Republic.
"I used to love these tours, love the contests that we have against all the teams," Taylor said at a media briefing in Cape Town. "It's a different brand of rugby to what we get back home, and you get a taste of it when you come over here. Big, physical men, great set-piece sides, but then also backs that can burn you pretty quick."
Extended tour a rarity in modern era
The tour structure itself marks a departure from contemporary scheduling norms. New Zealand have not undertaken an extended trip of this length to South Africa for 30 years, with the itinerary including four franchise fixtures and three Test matches against the Springboks between 7 August and 5 September. A fourth Test in Baltimore follows on 12 September.
Head coach Dave Rennie acknowledged the logistical demands of the schedule, which includes three matches in Johannesburg, two in Cape Town and one each in Durban and Pretoria. The All Blacks will at times field one group in competition whilst another trains on the same day, requiring careful squad management across the campaign.
"It's incredible," Rennie said of the reception at DHL Stadium. "I know our players often talked about the support that all the Super teams used to get here and the All Blacks get here. So, an awesome place to start our campaign in Cape Town and the support is incredible."
The tourists arrive in form, having opened Rennie's tenure with three Nations Championship victories in July. Those wins over France, Italy and Ireland provided the foundation for a tour that Taylor described as "unique" for the current squad. Ardie Savea remains the only absentee, scheduled to join the group ten days before the opening Test in Johannesburg on 22 August.
For South African supporters, the tour offers a rare opportunity to assess the All Blacks' progress under new management whilst the Springboks prepare for their own Nations Championship commitments. The franchise fixtures will provide an early gauge of how Rennie's side adapts to the physical demands Taylor referenced, with the Stormers presenting the first examination of New Zealand's credentials on South African soil in over half a decade.