
All Blacks South Africa 2026 Tour: Schedule & Watch Guide
The history between the All Blacks and the Springboks is as rich as it is intense — and in 2026, the two teams will write the next chapter on South African soil. This isn’t just a Test match or two: it’s an eight-match tour that revives a tradition not seen in three decades.
Tour year: 2026 · Total matches: 8 · Test matches: 4 · Provincial matches: 4 · Squad: 44-man tour squad
Quick snapshot
- Confirmed for 2026 (Springboks Rugby)
- Billed as Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry (Springboks Rugby)
- Eight-match series (Rugby.com.au)
- Exact kickoff times not released
- Fourth Test venue not confirmed
- Free-to-air broadcaster details per region
- Tour runs 7 Aug – 12 Sept 2026 (Springboks Rugby)
- First match: Stormers v NZ, 7 Aug (Rugby.com.au)
- First Test: 22 Aug at Ellis Park (Springboks Rugby)
- Check official fixtures page (All Blacks)
- Verify free TV times via official broadcasters (All Blacks)
- Set match reminders from confirmed schedule (All Blacks)
Eight matches, four Tests, four provincial fixtures — one pattern: the All Blacks’ first full tour of South Africa in 30 years delivers a rare blend of club-level intensity and Test-match drama. The table below breaks down the confirmed details.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| 2026 tour confirmed | Yes |
| Total matches | 8 |
| Test matches | 4 |
| Provincial matches | 4 |
| Provincial opponents | Stormers, Sharks, Bulls, Lions |
| Squad named | 44-man South Africa tour squad |
| Known venue | Ellis Park, Johannesburg |
| Official event name | Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry |
Are the All Blacks touring South Africa in 2026?
Is the 2026 All Blacks vs Springboks tour confirmed?
Yes. The All Blacks will tour South Africa in 2026, a series officially branded Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry by Springboks Rugby (governing body). It marks the first full tour of the country by New Zealand’s national team in about 30 years, according to Daily Maverick (South African news outlet).
How many matches are on the 2026 tour?
The tour includes eight matches: four provincial games against the Stormers, Sharks, Bulls and Lions, and four Test matches against the Springboks, as detailed by Rugby.com.au (Australian rugby authority).
What is the schedule for the All Blacks tour of South Africa in 2026?
What are the All Blacks fixtures against South Africa?
The official All Blacks fixtures page lists the complete schedule. The tour opens with Stormers v New Zealand on in Cape Town (Rugby.com.au).
Which provincial teams are on the All Blacks 2026 South Africa tour?
- Stormers – 7 August, Cape Town
- Sharks – 11 August, Durban
- Bulls – 15 August, Pretoria
- Lions – 25 August, Johannesburg
All four dates are confirmed by Rugby.com.au and Daily Maverick.
What is the Springboks’ 2026 schedule?
The Springboks host New Zealand for four Tests. The confirmed dates and venues are:
- 1st Test – 22 August, Ellis Park, Johannesburg (Springboks Rugby)
- 2nd Test – 29 August, DHL Stadium, Cape Town (Daily Maverick)
- 3rd Test – 5 September, FNB Stadium, Johannesburg (Rugby.com.au)
- 4th Test – 12 September, venue TBC (Springboks Rugby)
The implication: three Tests in South Africa plus one at a neutral venue gives the Springboks a home-ground advantage for most of the series.
Three Tests in South Africa, one at a neutral venue. For New Zealand fans, that means at least three matches will be played at unfamiliar times — but the stadium atmosphere at Ellis Park and FNB Stadium will be unmatched.
When and where do the All Blacks play South Africa?
Where do the All Blacks play the Springboks in 2026?
The first Test is at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, a venue synonymous with the rivalry. The All Blacks fixture hub also lists DHL Stadium (Cape Town), FNB Stadium (Johannesburg), and a fourth venue to be announced.
Is Ellis Park hosting an All Blacks match?
Yes. Ellis Park will host the first Test on 22 August 2026, as confirmed by Springboks Rugby.
Where can I watch All Blacks v South Africa?
How to watch All Blacks v South Africa live?
In New Zealand, all matches will be broadcast on Sky Sport and streamed on Sky Sport Now, as per All Blacks (official team site). The opening match — All Blacks v Stormers on 7 August — will be streamed live and free in New Zealand through a partnership between New Zealand Rugby and Sky Sport Now (All Blacks).
Where can I watch the All Blacks South Africa live stream?
International viewers should check the official All Blacks ‘Where to Watch’ page for region-specific broadcast information. The page lists all available legal streaming and TV options for every match.
For fans outside New Zealand, broadcast rights vary by territory. The All Blacks’ official watch page is the only reliable source to avoid unofficial streams and find the legal, high-quality broadcast in your region.
What time is All Blacks game on free TV?
How do I find the All Blacks kickoff time?
Kickoff times will be published on the All Blacks fixtures page as the tour approaches. Free-to-air schedules depend on local rights holders — for example, in New Zealand, the opening match is free-to-air via Sky Sport Now’s free stream (All Blacks).
What channel shows All Blacks games on free TV?
In New Zealand, Sky Sport holds the exclusive rights, but the free stream for the Stormers match is an exception. Non-New Zealand viewers should consult the All Blacks ‘Where to Watch’ page for free-to-air channels in their country.
Free TV is not guaranteed for all eight matches. Only the opening provincial game has a confirmed free option in New Zealand. For the remaining seven, a Sky subscription or international broadcaster may be required.
How to watch All Blacks live for free?
Can I watch All Blacks live for free online?
Yes — but only for the opening match. The All Blacks v Stormers on 7 August 2026 will be streamed for free in New Zealand via Sky Sport Now, as announced by All Blacks (official team site).
Are there free live stream options for All Blacks vs South Africa?
For the remaining matches, free viewing depends on your location. Some countries may carry the Tests on free-to-air television. The All Blacks ‘Where to Watch’ page is the definitive source for legal free and paid options.
How to Watch the 2026 All Blacks Tour: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Bookmark the official fixtures page — All Blacks: Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry — for confirmed dates, times, and venue updates.
- Check the ‘Where to Watch’ page — All Blacks ‘Where to Watch’ — for your region’s broadcaster.
- Determine if you need a subscription — In New Zealand, Sky Sport holds the rights. Outside NZ, check local listings.
- Set a reminder for the free stream — The All Blacks v Stormers on 7 August is free in New Zealand on Sky Sport Now. Mark it in your calendar.
- Watch the 44-man squad selection video — The All Blacks official YouTube channel published the squad announcement (search “All Blacks Name South Africa Tour Squad”).
Timeline: Key dates of the All Blacks South Africa tour 2026
- Pre-tour – All Blacks name a 44-man South Africa tour squad (All Blacks)
- 7 Aug 2026 – Stormers v New Zealand (Cape Town)
- 11 Aug 2026 – Sharks v New Zealand (Durban)
- 15 Aug 2026 – Bulls v New Zealand (Pretoria)
- 22 Aug 2026 – 1st Test: South Africa v New Zealand (Ellis Park)
- 25 Aug 2026 – Lions v New Zealand (Johannesburg)
- 29 Aug 2026 – 2nd Test: South Africa v New Zealand (DHL Stadium)
- 5 Sep 2026 – 3rd Test: South Africa v New Zealand (FNB Stadium)
- 12 Sep 2026 – 4th Test: South Africa v New Zealand (venue TBC)
All dates sourced from Springboks Rugby, Rugby.com.au, and Daily Maverick.
Confirmed facts
- All Blacks tour South Africa in 2026
- Eight matches: four provincial games and four Tests
- Provincial opponents: Stormers, Sharks, Bulls, Lions
- Tour branded Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry
- 44-man squad announced
- Ellis Park, Johannesburg is a Test venue
What’s unclear
- Exact kickoff times not provided
- Full venue list for all matches not confirmed
- Free-to-air broadcaster details per region
- Final Springboks squad not announced
- Tonight’s results cannot be predicted from an evergreen guide
Expert perspectives on the 2026 tour
“The All Blacks’ 2026 South Africa tour is a historic return to the traditional full-tour format, bringing eight matches across the country — a rare treat for South African rugby fans.”
— Springboks Rugby (official governing body)
“This eight-match series, dubbed Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, reignites a century-old tradition of New Zealand touring South Africa in full — provincial teams and all.”
— Daily Maverick (South African news outlet)
The 2026 All Blacks South Africa tour is more than a set of matches — it’s a return to a format that defined rugby’s greatest rivalry for generations. For New Zealand rugby fans, the choice is clear: mark your calendars for August 7, or miss the start of the biggest tour in a generation. For South African supporters, it’s a chance to see the All Blacks face their provincial heroes and the Springboks on home soil — an opportunity that may not come again for another 30 years. The pattern: this tour reconnects fans with a tradition that shaped the sport’s identity across both hemispheres.
Related reading: **NZ vs South Africa Rugby: Records, TV & Biggest Defeats** · **All Blacks vs Australia 2025: TV, Time & Bledisloe Result**
allblacks.com, events.com.au, sportshistori.com, facebook.com, absrugby.com, springboks.rugby, greatest-rivalry.com, rugbyworld.com, octafield.com
For a detailed look at the upcoming matches, check out the Springboks vs All Blacks fixtures guide covering the 2025-2026 series.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series?
It’s the official brand for the 2026 All Blacks–Springboks tour, celebrating the century-old rugby rivalry between New Zealand and South Africa. The series includes eight matches across South Africa.
Are the 2026 All Blacks–Springboks matches official Test matches?
Yes. Four of the eight matches are Test matches, recognized as full international fixtures by World Rugby. The other four are provincial matches, which are not Tests.
Where can I buy official All Blacks South Africa tour tickets?
Tickets are available through official channels linked from the All Blacks fixtures page and licensed ticketing partners. Always use official sources to avoid scams.
What is a provincial match in the context of the 2026 All Blacks tour?
A provincial match is a fixture between the All Blacks and a South African domestic team (Stormers, Sharks, Bulls, Lions). These are not Test matches but are part of the traditional tour experience, allowing fans to see the All Blacks play against local heroes.
Why is the All Blacks–Springboks rivalry important?
It’s one of the oldest and most intense rivalries in international rugby, often deciding World Cup outcomes and producing iconic moments. The 2026 tour adds a new chapter with a full-series format rarely seen in the professional era.
Can I watch All Blacks games for free outside New Zealand?
Free viewing depends on local broadcast rights. The All Blacks ‘Where to Watch’ page lists all legal options, including free-to-air channels where available.