2026 New Zealand rugby union tour of South Africa

Last updated
2026 New Zealand rugby union tour of South Africa
Date7 August – 12 September 2026

The 2026 New Zealand rugby union tour of South Africa will be an international rugby union tour that will take place in South Africa between August and September 2026. [1] It takes place within the traditional Rugby Championship international window, which will see The Rugby Championship take a bye year and return in 2027. [2]

Contents

The tour was confirmed in October 2025, with the All Blacks set to travel to South Africa for an eight-match tour, with matches against their leading club sides; Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers, which interlock with a four-test series against the Springboks.

The tour, marketed as 'Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry', marks 30 years since New Zealand’s last major tour of South Africa, which was also their last test series on foreign soil. [3] On that occasion, the visitors embarked on an eight match schedule, culminating in a historic 2-1 Test series win.

In 2030, the tour will be reversed, where South Africa will conduct their first professional era tour to New Zealand.

Schedule

The fixtures for the tour were announced on 17 October 2025 in line with the tour announcement.

DateHome teamScoreAway teamVenueDetails
7 August (Friday) Stormers New Zealand DHL Stadium, Cape Town Match details
11 August (Tuesday) Sharks New Zealand Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban Match details
15 August (Saturday) Bulls New Zealand Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria Match details
22 August (Saturday) South Africa New Zealand Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg Match details
25 August (Tuesday) Lions New Zealand Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg Match details
29 August (Saturday) South Africa New Zealand DHL Stadium, Cape Town Match details
5 September (Saturday) South Africa New Zealand FNB Stadium, Johannesburg Match details
12 September (Saturday) South Africa New Zealand Venue to be announced Match details

Matches

Stormers v New Zealand

Sharks v New Zealand

Bulls v New Zealand

South Africa v New Zealand (first test)

Lions v New Zealand

South Africa v New Zealand (second test)

South Africa v New Zealand (third test)

South Africa v New Zealand (fourth test)

12 September 2026
South Africa  Flag of South Africa.svgvFlag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand
TBA

Notes

    References

    1. "Springboks and All Blacks reignite traditional tours". 18 October 2025.
    2. "SANZAAR CONFIRMS NEW AND EXCITING INTERNATIONAL RUGBY CALENDAR 2026-2030". 18 October 2025.
    3. "Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Announced - All Blacks and Springboks reignite traditional tours". 18 October 2025.