Springboks and All Blacks to Clash in Epic 4-Test "Rugby's Greatest Rivalry" Series in 2026

According to the news article, South Africa and New Zealand have reached a significant agreement to begin a quadrennial touring relationship starting in 2026. This new "Rugby's Greatest Rivalry" series will see the two rugby powerhouses clash in a 4-Test series next year.

The Springboks will host the All Blacks for two Tests in Johannesburg and one in Cape Town in 2026, before the two nations meet at a neutral venue. Additionally, Scott Robertson's All Blacks side will take on the four South African United Rugby Championship (URC) teams in midweek fixtures alongside the three Tests on South African soil.

The long-rumored series has been the subject of extended negotiations over the last 18 months, and comes with no edition of the Rugby Championship due to take place in 2026. However, it is expected that New Zealand will still take on Australia for the Bledisloe Cup before the annual southern hemisphere contest between the four nations returns in 2027 ahead of the Rugby World Cup.

Notably, the reciprocal agreement marks a break from the rest of the rugby world, which has largely done away with traditional touring other than the British and Irish Lions series. The All Blacks last toured South Africa in August 1996, winning the Test series 2-1.