The Springboks return to Cape Town on Saturday looking to respond after their defeat to the All Blacks at Ellis Park — but history provides an interesting twist ahead of the highly anticipated Test.
South Africa host New Zealand at DHL Stadium on Saturday, 29 August, with kick-off scheduled for 17:10.
While the Springboks have enjoyed an impressive record at the venue, the All Blacks have a formidable history in Cape Town dating back almost a century.
Springboks have dominated at DHL Stadium
Since 2021, South Africa have played six international matches at Cape Town Stadium, winning five of them.
Their only defeat came against the British & Irish Lions in July 2021, when the tourists edged the Springboks 22-17.
South Africa responded by winning the next two matches of that series at the venue, beating the Lions 27-9 and 19-16.
The Boks then defeated Wales 30-14 in July 2022, with Eben Etzebeth reaching his 100th Test cap during the match.
Two years later, Cape Town witnessed another memorable South African victory when the Springboks beat New Zealand 18-12 in September 2024 to claim the Freedom Cup.
South Africa would go on to secure the Rugby Championship that same month.
In 2025, the Boks also recorded victories over the Barbarians and Australia at the venue, although the 54-7 Barbarians fixture was a non-Test.
All Blacks have history on their side at Newlands
While the Springboks’ record at the current Cape Town venue is strong, New Zealand’s record at Newlands tells a very different story.
The All Blacks played 10 matches at the historic Cape Town stadium between 1928 and 2017, winning seven of them.
Their first meeting with South Africa at Newlands came in September 1928, when New Zealand claimed a 13-5 victory.
Their overall Newlands record against the Springboks makes for fascinating reading:
- 1928: South Africa 5-13 New Zealand
- 1949: South Africa 15-11 New Zealand
- 1960: South Africa 3-11 New Zealand
- 1970: South Africa 8-9 New Zealand
- 1976: South Africa 15-10 New Zealand
- 1996: South Africa 18-29 New Zealand
- 2001: South Africa 3-12 New Zealand
- 2005: South Africa 22-16 New Zealand
- 2008: South Africa 0-19 New Zealand
- 2017: South Africa 24-25 New Zealand
Can the Boks rewrite the script?
Saturday’s clash will be only the second meeting between the Springboks and All Blacks at Cape Town Stadium.
The previous encounter at the venue ended in an 18-12 victory for South Africa in 2024.
That gives the Boks plenty of reason for confidence, despite the disappointment of last weekend’s result at Ellis Park.
With the series on the line, another fierce battle awaits in Cape Town.
Will the Springboks make home advantage count, or will the All Blacks continue their impressive historical record in the Mother City?
