All Blacks’ first major rugby tour of South Africa in 30 years for 2026

NZ All Blacks’ first major rugby tour of South Africa in 30 years confirmed for 2026 fixtures

New Zealand’s All Blacks will make their first traditional rugby tour of South Africa in 30 years in 2026, playing four test matches against the Springboks — three in South Africa (Ellis Park, Cape Town Stadium, and FNB Stadium) and a fourth at a neutral venue.

The eight-match tour, starting August 7, 2026, will also include games against all four South African United Rugby Championship teams: the Stormers, Sharks, Bulls, and Lions.

The tour commemorates the All Blacks’ last major South African visit in 1996, when they won the test series 2–1. Springboks captain Siya Kolisi called the event “unbelievable” and historic for the current generation.

To fit the tour and the upcoming Nations Championship, the Rugby Championship (involving New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina, and Australia) will pause in 2026, returning in 2027 in a shortened format. It will also run in 2028 and 2029 before another hiatus in 2030, when South Africa will make a reciprocal tour of New Zealand.

2026 New Zealand All blacks tour to South Africa Springboks fixtures, Full schedule, dates, locations

Aug. 7 vs. Stormers, Cape Town

Aug. 11 vs. Sharks, Durban

Aug. 15 vs. Bulls, Pretoria

Aug. 22 vs. South Africa, Johannesburg (first test)

Aug. 25 vs. Lions, Johannesburg

Aug. 29 vs. South Africa, Cape Town (second test)

Sept. 5 vs. South Africa, Johannesburg (third test)

Sept. 12 vs. South Africa, venue tbd (fourth test)

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