Hold on to your hats, rugby fans! The Springboks and All Blacks are set to reignite one of sport's most legendary rivalries in 2026, and Springbok captain Siya Kolisi can barely contain his excitement. He's calling the upcoming four-Test series against New Zealand on home soil 'huge,' not just for the national team, but for the local franchises too. But here's where it gets controversial... will this series live up to the hype, or will the pressure cooker atmosphere fizzle out? Let's dive in!
SA Rugby officially announced on Thursday that the All Blacks will be touring South Africa for a full-scale series for the first time in a whopping 30 years! They're billing it as nothing less than 'Rugby's Greatest Rivalry,' a bold claim considering the other epic clashes in the sport's history. To complete the home-and-away cycle, the Springboks will then head to New Zealand in 2030 for their first tour during the professional era. That's a long wait, but promises to be just as electrifying.
Kolisi, the inspirational leader who has guided the Boks to consecutive World Cup victories, shared his thoughts on the SA Rugby website. "This is going to be something huge and something this generation will never forget," he stated emphatically. "These are the tours we've only heard of. To experience this for the first time, where it's like a Lions tour, is unbelievable for us as a group." This comparison to the British & Irish Lions tour underscores the magnitude of the event for South African rugby. And this is the part most people miss... Kolisi isn't just talking about the rugby; he's talking about the cultural exchange and the shared experience for fans on both sides.
He continued, "I have no doubt the Springbok fans will be there waiting to welcome the All Blacks fans to South Africa. Let's get excited; let's get behind it and, people of South Africa, it's an opportunity for us to show the world once again who we are and what we are about - we certainly can't wait for it." Kolisi's words are a clear call to action, urging South Africans to embrace the series and showcase their national pride. But what does it really mean to "show the world who we are"? Is it about rugby prowess, or something deeper?
Across the Tasman Sea, All Blacks captain Scott Barrett echoed Kolisi's sentiments. "This is a huge rivalry, and one that is founded off mutual respect, but for 80 minutes these are two teams that every time they play there's everything on the line," Barrett explained. "The intensity is right up there, and it is shaping up to be a heck of a tour. The format will be great, and there will be a whole lot of excited fans watching from home, and travelling with us as well. We are looking forward to it." Barrett highlights the crucial balance between respect and fierce competition that defines this rivalry. But is 'mutual respect' always the case, or do tensions sometimes boil over?
Here's the tour schedule to mark on your calendars:
- Friday 7 August: DHL Stormers v New Zealand at DHL Stadium, Cape Town
- Tuesday 11 August: Hollywoodbets Sharks v New Zealand at Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
- Saturday 15 August: Vodacom Bulls v New Zealand at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
- Saturday 22 August: First Test - South Africa v New Zealand at Ellis Park, Johannesburg
- Tuesday 25 August: Lions v New Zealand at Ellis Park, Johannesburg
- Saturday 29 August: Second Test - South Africa v New Zealand at DHL Stadium, Cape Town
- Saturday 5 September: Third Test - South Africa v New Zealand at FNB Stadium, Johannesburg
- Saturday 12 September: Fourth Test - South Africa v New Zealand (venue to be announced)
So, what do you think? Is this truly 'Rugby's Greatest Rivalry,' or is that just marketing hype? And more importantly, who are you backing to win the series? Let us know your predictions and thoughts in the comments below!
