For the first time in 30 years, the All Blacks are doing a full tour of South Africa. The eight-match itinerary runs all four URC franchises before a four-test series against the Boks, with the final test taking the rivalry to Baltimore — an unusual offshore finale. The provincial fixtures are more than warm-up acts; beating the All Blacks in a tour match is genuinely rare, and each of the four franchises gets exactly one shot at it. The test series is the main event, of course, with the Boks defending world champion status against a side that needs no motivation to show up. The occasion also includes the Springbok Women hosting the Black Ferns at FNB Stadium ahead of the third test. Combined attendance across the tour is projected to clear 250,000. The piece doubles as a practical guide — full fixture list, kick-off times, and the complete referee panel for every match.
The All Blacks are back on tour in South Africa — here's the full picture
The All Blacks' first full South African tour in 30 years kicks off this week: four franchise fixtures, a four-test series, and a Springbok Women clash against the Black Ferns — full schedule and officials included.
Stephen Donald: Robertson copied the Boks — Rennie must go back to All Blacks DNA
Stephen Donald backs Hansen's anti-copycat argument, saying Robertson erred by chasing the Springbok blueprint rather than New Zealand's tempo-based strengths — and expects Rennie to correct that course ahead of a blockbuster four-Test series in South Africa.
Hansen's Right to Back Himself — But the Boks' Five-Match Streak Tells a Different Story
Jean de Villiers acknowledges Hansen's logic but argues last year's results and performances make it hard to see the All Blacks closing the gap on the Boks — and the panel get genuinely animated over what a 2-2 series tiebreaker would even look like.
Springbok Recall! Relive Phepsi Buthelezi's 2025/26 Season
#SharksRugby #PhepsiButhelezi #Springboks
Keo & Zels: Stubborn All Blacks policy make Boks smile
The boys love that New Zealand keep picking their second-best, long may it continue.
All Blacks' loosehead crisis hands Springboks a ready-made weapon in Greatest Rivalry Series
Jeff Wilson has publicly identified loosehead prop as the All Blacks' most dangerous weakness ahead of four consecutive Tests against the Springboks — with Williams likely out, Tu'ungafasi's future uncertain, and the remaining options short on caps and experience. Set against the depth Erasmus has built across the prop positions, this piece maps out why scrum time could be where the Greatest Rivalry Series is decided.