Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Revived: All Blacks Embark on Historic 8-Match Tour of South Africa and the USA

In an unprecedented move for modern international rugby, the All Blacks are reviving a three-decade-old tradition with an eight-match tour across South Africa and the United States.

Dubbed “Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry,” this landmark tour features clashes against all four South African United Rugby Championship (URC) franchises before culminating in an expanded four-Test Freedom Cup series between the world-champion Springboks and New Zealand.

Traditional Tours Return

Agreed upon by SA Rugby (SARU) and New Zealand Rugby (NZR), this extended bilateral tour marks the first return to long-form international rugby tours between the two giants since the professional era began in 1996. Under the new international rugby calendar, The Rugby Championship will shift to a biennial format starting in 2027 to accommodate these grand tours.

Key Tour Highlights

• Provincial Battles: New Zealand will take on the Stormers, Sharks, Bulls, and Lions on South African soil, offering domestic franchises a rare shot at the All Blacks.
• Expanded Freedom Cup: A four-match Test series starting in Johannesburg, heading to Cape Town, and concluding in Baltimore, Maryland—marking the first time the Boks and All Blacks clash in the USA.
• Women’s Rugby Showcase: The Springbok Women will face world champions the Black Ferns in a high-profile curtain-raiser ahead of the 3rd Test at FNB Stadium on 5 September.

Full Tour Schedule & Fixtures