For the first time in 30 years, New Zealand's All Blacks embarked this year on a full tour of South Africa. Dubbed the Greatest Rivalry Tour, it delivered almost everything rugby fans could have wanted. Four Tests, two countries, three different venues and, for the first time in the series, a decisive fourth match played in the United States.
The Springboks went into the series as favourites, having beaten the All Blacks in 5 of the last 6 tests between the 2 teams, along with the fact that the Boks have been ranked number one since winning the 2023 World Cup.
What began with a stunning All Blacks victory in Johannesburg ended with the Springboks lifting the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry trophy after winning three Tests in succession. Across the four matches, there were dramatic comebacks, yellow cards, injuries, controversial calls and several outstanding individual performances.
Here is how the four-Test series unfolded.
First Test: South Africa 16–33 New Zealand
22 August 2026 – Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Half-time: South Africa 13–12 New Zealand
South Africa:
Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx, Wilco Louw, Eben Etzebeth, Ruan Nortjé, Paul de Villiers, Pieter-Steph du Toit (captain), Jasper Wiese, Grant Williams, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel, Cheslin Kolbe, Damian Willemse.
Replacements: Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Gerhard Steenekamp, Zachary Porthen, Cobus Wiese, André Esterhuizen, Marco van Staden, Cobus Reinach, Manie Libbok.
New Zealand: Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor, Tyrel Lomax, Josh Lord, Fabian Holland, Tupou Vaa'i, Luke Jacobson, Ardie Savea (captain), Cam Roigard, Ruben Love, Josh Moorby, Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Will Jordan, Damian McKenzie.
Replacements: Asafo Aumua, George Bower, Fletcher Newell, Simon Parker, Peter Lakai, Kyle Preston, Anton Lienert-Brown, Leroy Carter.
Substitutions
South Africa: Andre Esterhuizen for Arendse 13'; Gerhard Steenekamp for Ox Nche 46'; Zachary Porthen for Wilco Louw 61'; Marco van Staden for Paul de Villiers 62'; Cobus Reinach for Cheslin Kolbe 58'; Manie Libbok for Andre Esterhuizen 63'; Jan-Hendrik Wessels for Gerhard Steenekamp 68'; Cobus Wiese for Eben Etzebeth 74'.
New Zealand: George Bower for Ethan de Groot 37'; Simon Parker for Josh Lord 40'; Fletcher Newell for Tyrel Lomax 54'; Asafo Aumua for Codie Taylor 58'; Leroy Carter for Josh Moorby 66'; Peter Lakai for Luke Jacobson 75'; Anton Lienert-Brown for Quinn Tupaea 75'; Kyle Preston for Cam Roigard 80'.
Scorers
South Africa: Tries: Esterhuizen 13'. Penalties: Kolbe 4', 26', 46'. Tries: Kolbe 13'
New Zealand: Tries: Jordan 8', 74', Moorby 23'; Holland 47'; Jacobson 58'. Conversions: Love 23', 48', 59', 75'.
The All Blacks shocked South Africa in the 1st test, ultimately delivering a comprehensive 33-16 win and scoring 5 tries to the Springboks’ 1 try. However, the final score doesn’t tell the full story of a match that the Springboks dominated at times; the Bokke enjoyed significant possession and territory but repeatedly failed to turn pressure into points, despite scrum dominance and numerous entries into the All Blacks 22.
South Africa led 13–12at half-time after a try from Esterhuizen, while Jordan and Moorby scored tries for New Zealand. After failing to capitalise on several scrum penalties, the All Blacks took charge in the 2nd half. Fabian Holland charged down a South African kick and gathered the loose ball to score, before Luke Jacobson powered over from close range. After yellow cards to Reinach and van Staden within a minute of each other, Jordan put the finishing touches to a five-try All Blacks performance late in the match.
The All Blacks' 33–16 victory ended South Africa's 12-match winning streak and immediately put the hosts under pressure in the series.
2nd Test: South Africa 33–26 New Zealand
29 August 2026 – DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Half-time: South Africa 24–14 New Zealand
South Africa:
Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx, Wilco Louw, Eben Etzebeth, Ruan Nortjé, Siya Kolisi (captain), Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jasper Wiese, Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker, Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel, Cheslin Kolbe, Damian Willemse.
Replacements: Deon Fourie, Gerhard Steenekamp, Thomas du Toit, Lood de Jager, André Esterhuizen, Cameron Hanekom, Morné van den Berg, Manie Libbok.
New Zealand:
George Bower, Codie Taylor, Tyrel Lomax, Fabian Holland, Tupou Vaa'i, Simon Parker, Luke Jacobson, Ardie Savea (captain), Cam Roigard, Ruben Love, Leroy Carter, Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Will Jordan, Damian McKenzie.
Replacements: Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Fletcher Newell, Patrick Tuipulotu, Peter Lakai, Kyle Preston, Anton Lienert-Brown, Josh Moorby.
Substitutions
South Africa: Malcolm Marx and Ox Nche replaced Deon Fourie and Gerhard Steenekamp 35'; Manie Libbok for Damian Willemse 40'; André Esterhuizen for Siya Kolisi 42'; Morné van den Berg for Cobus Reinach 62'; Wilco Louw for Thomas du Toit 71'; Lood de Jager for Ruan Nortjé 67'; Cameron Hanekom for Jasper Wiese 71'.
New Zealand: Fletcher Newell and Asafo Aumua for Tyrel Lomax and Codie Taylor 49'; Peter Lakai for Simon Parker 52'; Xavier Numia for George Bower 53'; Patrick Tuipulotu for Luke Jacobson 65'; Kyle Preston for Cam Roigard 76'; Anton Lienert-Brown for Quinn Tupaea 67'.
Scorers
South Africa: Tries: Kriel 1', de Allende 21'; Kolisi 37'. Conversions: Kolbe (3/3) 3', 23', 39’.
Penalties: Kolbe (4/4) 19', 49', 51', 72
New Zealand: Tries: Roigard 15'; McKenzie 29'; L Carter 65'; Savea 76'. Conversions: Love (3/4) 17', 31', 78'
South Africa hit back in an expected fashion, winning the 2nd test 33-26. The tone was set from the 1st minute when Kriel crossed for a try, and even though New Zealand responded shortly afterwards through a try by Roigard, the Boks would take the lead again in the 19th minute through a Kolbe penalty and not relinquish that lead for the rest of the match,
De Allende's try restored the advantage before Damian McKenzie answered for New Zealand. Kolisi's try just before half-time gave the Boks a 24–14 advantage and was especially significant as he had missed the 1st test due to injury.
Carter's try in the 65th minute and Savea's score in the 76th minute gave New Zealand hope that it could at least draw the match. Despite a late yellow card to Lood de Jager for head contact with Carter, South Africa held firm to level the series.
Off-field stories also dominated the news as Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus made a surprise late change to the Springbok front row, replacing the starting props shortly before the match, while international headlines were made by a near miss of the stadium roof by one of the Air Link Jets that conducted a flyover.
Third Test: South Africa 29–24 New Zealand
5 September 2026 – FNB Stadium, Johannesburg
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
Half-time: 12–12
South Africa
Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx, Wilco Louw, Eben Etzebeth, Ruan Nortjé, Siya Kolisi (captain), Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jasper Wiese, Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker, Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Damian Willemse.
Replacements: Deon Fourie, Gerhard Steenekamp, Thomas du Toit, Lood de Jager, André Esterhuizen, Cameron Hanekom, Morné van den Berg, Manie Libbok.
New Zealand
George Bower, Codie Taylor, Tyrel Lomax, Sam Darry, Patrick Tuipulotu, Tupou Vaa'i, Peter Lakai, Ardie Savea (captain), Cam Roigard, Ruben Love, Leroy Carter, Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Will Jordan, Damian McKenzie.
Replacements: Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Fletcher Newell, Fabian Holland, Wallace Sititi, Kyle Preston, Anton Lienert-Brown, Josh Moorby.
Substitutions
South Africa: Manie Libbok for Cheslin Kolbe 9'; Morné van den Berg for Cobus Reinach 42'; Deon Fourie for Siya Kolisi 56'; Gerhard Steenekamp for Ox Nche 56'; Thomas du Toit for Wilco Louw 50'; Lood de Jager for Eben Etzebeth 56'; Cameron Hanekom for Jasper Wiese 61'; André Esterhuizen for Malcolm Marx 70'.
New Zealand: Anton Lienert-Brown for Quinn Tupaea 43'; Xavier Numia for George Bower 45'; Fletcher Newell for Tyrel Lomax 45'; Wallace Sititi for Ardie Savea 30'; Fabian Holland for Sam Darry 61'; Samisoni Taukei'aho for Asafo Aumua 61'; Kyle Preston for Cam Roigard 66'; Josh Moorby for Leroy Carter 67'.
Scorers
South Africa: Tries: Arendse 20'; penalty try 36', Kriel 57'; Marx 65'. Conversions: Feinberg-Mngomezulu (2/3) 58', 66. Penalties: Feinberg-Mngomezulu (1/1) 70'.
New Zealand: Tries: Savea 10', 25'; Jordan 55'; Taukei'aho 81'. Conversions: Love (1/3) 11', McKenzie (1/1) 80+2.
The 3rd test proved to be arguably the best match of the series, as it hung in the balance until the last 20 minutes when the Springboks pulled away on the scoreboard. New Zealand started brightly, with Savea scoring a try in the 1oth minute as Feinberg-Mngomezulu was yellow-carded for a deliberate knock-on. South Africa responded with a try in the corner to Arendse, but Savea showed his class again with a try in the 25th minute to give the all blacks a 12-5 lead. After a well-worked play that resulted in Libbok being stopped just short of the try line, Love was yellow-carded for being offside. The Springboks chose a scrum and promptly shoved the All blacks backwards at a rate of knots, resulting in a penalty try and the scores being level at half-time at 12–12.
New Zealand briefly moved ahead again in the 55th minute when Jordan placed a grubber through for Carter, who popped the ball up for Jordan to give the All Blacks a 17-12 lead. But Carter immediately went from hero to zero when he missed a one-on-one tackle on Kriel in the 57th minute to give the Boks a 19-17 lead. The Springboks then turned the screw with their set piece, as a dominant scrum led to a lineout maul, from which Marx powered over to make it 26–17. Feinberg- Mngomezulu then made it 29-17 with a 70th-minute penalty.
Taukei'aho scored a consolation try after the hooter to reduce the deficit to 5 points, but South Africa had already won the match to take a 2-1 series lead.
After the match, some argued that South Africa had already won the “home” series as the last match would be played in the US. The match came at a cost for both teams: Kolbe was injured and ruled out of the final Test, while Savea was declared unavailable as well.
Fourth Test: South Africa 43–28 New Zealand
12 September 2026 – M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, United States
Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
Half-time: South Africa 17–14 New Zealand
South Africa:
Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx, Wilco Louw, Eben Etzebeth, Ruan Nortjé, Siya Kolisi (captain), Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jasper Wiese, Morné van den Berg, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker, Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Damian Willemse.
Replacements: Deon Fourie, Gerhard Steenekamp, Thomas du Toit, Lood de Jager, André Esterhuizen, Cameron Hanekom, Cobus Reinach, Manie Libbok.
New Zealand:
Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor (captain), Fletcher Newell, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Darry, Tupou Vaa'i, Ethan Blackadder, Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard, Richie Mo'unga, Josh Moorby, Jordie Barrett, Anton Lienert-Brown, Will Jordan, Damian McKenzie.
Replacements: Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Tyrel Lomax, Josh Lord, Wallace Sititi, Kyle Preston, Rieko Ioane, Beauden Barrett.
Substitutions
South Africa: Gerhard Steenekamp for Ox Nche 44'; Thomas du Toit for Wilco Louw 44'; Lood de Jager for Ruan Nortjé 44'; André Esterhuizen for Siya Kolisi 44'; Deon Fourie for Malcolm Marx 50'; Manie Libbok for Damian Willemse 58'; Cobus Reinach for Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu 61'; Cameron Hanekom for Pieter-Steph du Toit 66'.
New Zealand: Wallace Sititi for Peter Lakai 7' (HIA); Rieko Ioane for Anton Lienert-Brown 40'; Xavier Numia for Ethan de Groot 49'; Asafo Aumua for Codie Taylor 49'; Tyrel Lomax for Fletcher Newell 49'; Josh Lord for Sam Darry 58'; Wallace Sititi returned for Patrick Tuipulotu 55'; Kyle Preston for Cam Roigard 66'; Beauden Barrett for Josh Moorby 72'.
Scorers
South Africa: Tries: de Allende 15'; van den Berg 22'; Marx 49'; du Toit 53'; Arendse 72'; Hanekom 78'. Conversions: Feinberg-Mngomezulu (2/3) 15', 22', van den Berg (1/1) 52', Libbok (2/2) 72', 76'. Penalties: Feinberg-Mngomezulu (1/2) 3'.
New Zealand: Tries: Taylor 8'; Jordan 38'; Blackadder 64'; Barrett 80'. Conversions: McKenzie (4/4) 8', 37', 63', 79'
The final Test was moved to the United States to Baltimore, Maryland, for a historic neutral-site finale, with South Africa needing only a draw to win the series. This test proved to be the least competitive of the four, with South Africa holding the lead for most of the match and ultimately winning by 15 points.
South Africa opened the scoring with a penalty in the 3rd minute before Taylor scored the opening try in the 8th minute. South Africa responded through a de Allende try in the 15th minute and van den Berg snuck over for a try in the 22nd minute.Will Jordan's try late in the first half ensured New Zealand went into the interval just three points behind at 17–14.
Then came the Springbok surge. Marx scored from a rolling maul shortly after half-time, followed by du Toit after a clever attacking move. Blackadder's try in the 64th minute gave New Zealand renewed hope, reducing the deficit to eight.
But the decisive moment came from Kurt-Lee Arendse. With New Zealand threatening a comeback, Arendse collected loose ball deep in his own half and embarked on a spectacular run, beating defenders and sprinting the length of the field to score. The try initially went to the TMO for review, with questions raised about whether Josh Moorby had been illegally tackled off the ball in the build-up. The try ultimately stood.
Hanekom then added another late try after South Africa won a turnover, while Beauden Barrett scored a consolation try at the death.
South Africa had won 43–28 and, with it, the series 3–1.
A Tour That Lived Up to Its Name
The Greatest Rivalry Tour ultimately lived up to its name, with two of rugby’s greatest rivals producing high-quality rugby that the rugby world could only admire.
The Series produced four very different Tests, as the first belonged to New Zealand, who showed attacking ambition and punished South Africa's mistakes. The second was defined by South Africa's strong response, built around power, pressure and Kolbe's exceptional goal-kicking. The third was a war of attrition, with the Springboks' set piece and power game ultimately deciding the contest. The fourth test arguably provided the most expansive rugby of the series, with ten tries and a slightly more ambitious Springbok attitude.
For the All Blacks, there were genuine positives despite the 3–1 series defeat. New Zealand produced some outstanding attacking rugby and scored at least four tries in every test. However, the All Blacks’ inability to match the Springboks up front ultimately proved the difference between the two teams.
Despite the unexpected loss in the first test, the Springboks decisively proved that it was the top side the world and an extremely hard team to beat, and the green and gold were ultimately deserved winners of the Greatest Rivalry Tour trophy.