Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry explained: Why are the All Blacks and Springboks such fierce rivals?

New Zealand and South Africa are renewing one of international sport’s most famous battles in 2026, with the All Blacks touring South Africa for the first time in 30 years as part of the newly branded Rugby‘s Greatest Rivalry.

The two nations have been battling for supremacy for more than a century, contesting World Cup finals, historic tours and some of the most memorable Tests rugby has produced.

But what is Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, why are the All Blacks and Springboks such fierce rivals and where can supporters watch the 2026 series?

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What is Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry?

Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry is the name given to the landmark 2026 tour involving New Zealand and South Africa.

The All Blacks will play eight matches across the tour, including games against South African provincial sides and a four-Test series against the Springboks.

The first three Tests will be staged in South Africa before the rivalry heads to the United States for a historic fourth Test in Baltimore.

It is New Zealand’s first traditional full tour of South Africa since 1996 and revives the type of lengthy tours that were once at the heart of international rugby.

Where can I watch Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry in the UK?

Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry will be shown live on Sky Sports in the UK, with coverage throughout New Zealand’s 2026 tour.

Sky Sports will show the four Tests between the Springboks and All Blacks, as well as New Zealand’s tour matches against the Stormers, Sharks, Bulls and Lions.

The agreement means UK viewers can follow the All Blacks throughout their first full tour of South Africa for 30 years, culminating in the fourth Test against the Springboks at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on September 12.

Why are New Zealand and South Africa rugby rivals?

The rivalry stretches back to 1921, when New Zealand and South Africa first met in a Test match in Dunedin.

Both countries subsequently became giants of the sport, and matches between them have regularly carried significance far beyond an ordinary international.

For much of rugby history, beating the other has been regarded as the ultimate benchmark.

New Zealand had to wait until 1956 to record their first series victory over South Africa, while the Springboks had already achieved the remarkable feat of winning a series in New Zealand in 1937.

Their history has also extended beyond rugby.

The Springboks’ controversial 1981 tour of New Zealand triggered widespread protests against South Africa’s apartheid regime, and the countries did not meet in an official Test again until 1992.

Have the All Blacks and Springboks met in a Rugby World Cup final?

Yes – twice, with South Africa winning both finals.

Their first World Cup final meeting came at Ellis Park in Johannesburg in 1995.

Joel Stransky’s extra-time drop goal secured a famous 15-12 Springboks victory before Nelson Mandela presented captain Francois Pienaar with the Webb Ellis Cup.

Twenty-eight years later, they met again in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final in Paris, with South Africa winning 12-11 to claim a record fourth world title.

When did the All Blacks last win a series in South Africa?

New Zealand’s last full Test series victory in South Africa came in 1996.

It was a landmark achievement. Despite decades of All Blacks success around the world, they had never previously won a Test series on South African soil.

Thirty years later, the 2026 All Blacks have the opportunity to repeat that feat.

What is the 2026 Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry schedule?

The tour features matches against the Stormers, Sharks, Bulls and Lions, alongside four Tests against the Springboks.

The Test series begins in South Africa on August 22 before continuing through Cape Town and Johannesburg.

The fourth and final Test will then take place at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on September 12.

It is a modern reinvention of an old-fashioned rugby tour, centred on two nations with perhaps the strongest claim to being the greatest rivals in the history of the sport.

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