Rugby's Greatest Rivalry 2026
South Africa lead the Test series 2-1 with one match left. Seven of the eight tour fixtures are done, the All Blacks won all four provincial games, and the Boks have taken the last two Tests, the most recent 29-24 at FNB Stadium on 5 September. The decider is in Baltimore on Saturday 12 September and it kicks off at 23:00 SAST, so this page is the where and when for SA viewers.
By Sipho Nkosi · Published 17 Aug 2026 · Last updated 7 Sept 2026
State of play
Seven down, one to go. The tourists cleaned up the four provincial games and won the 1st Test at Ellis Park, then the Boks answered in Cape Town and again in Joburg to move 2-1 up.
The maths is simple. A Springbok win or a draw in Baltimore takes the series, and New Zealand have to win to square it 2-2. Both halves of the trophy go to the tour winner after the final whistle in Baltimore (allblacks.com).
What is Rugby's Greatest Rivalry?
It is an eight-match tour and the reason the Rugby Championship is not running this year. Four Tests between the Boks and All Blacks, three of them on SA soil and the fourth at a neutral venue in the United States, plus four midweek and weekend fixtures against the Stormers, Sharks, Bulls and Lions.
The Freedom Cup is on the line every time the Boks and All Blacks meet. South Africa also reclaimed the world No 1 ranking with the Cape Town win on 29 August (The Citizen).
The full 2026 schedule and every result
| Date | Fixture | Kick-off (SAST) | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri 7 Aug | Stormers v All Blacks | 19:00 | DHL Stadium, Cape Town | Stormers 21 - 38 All Blacks |
| Tue 11 Aug | Sharks v All Blacks | 19:00 | Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban | Sharks 0 - 54 All Blacks |
| Sat 15 Aug | Bulls v All Blacks | 19:00 | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria | Bulls 19 - 50 All Blacks |
| Sat 22 Aug | Springboks v All Blacks, 1st Test | 17:10 | Ellis Park, Johannesburg | SA 16 - 33 NZ |
| Tue 25 Aug | Lions v All Blacks | 19:00 | Ellis Park, Johannesburg | Lions 35 - 41 All Blacks |
| Sat 29 Aug | Springboks v All Blacks, 2nd Test | 17:10 | DHL Stadium, Cape Town | SA 33 - 26 NZ |
| Sat 5 Sept | Springboks v All Blacks, 3rd Test | 17:10 | FNB Stadium, Johannesburg | SA 29 - 24 NZ |
| Sat 12 Sept | Springboks v All Blacks, 4th Test | 23:00 | M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore | Series decider |
The Baltimore Test is at 23:00 SAST on Saturday 12 September, a late one for SA living rooms. Set an alarm.
The four Tests
The four provincial matches
New Zealand won all four, and only one of them was close. That 4-0 sweep is the part of the tour the Test scoreline hides.
Team news for Baltimore
Both squads are named and both are a star short. Cheslin Kolbe stays in South Africa with a broken jaw picked up tackling Luke Jacobson (Africa Soccer), and All Black captain Ardie Savea misses out with a dislocated shoulder after Dave Rennie named his 36-man touring group on Sunday 6 September (Rugby365). Handre Pollard, Damian Willemse and Canan Moodie all travel with the Boks.
How to watch in South Africa
SuperSport holds the SA broadcast rights across the tour. The home fixtures are carried on SuperSport's rugby and Grandstand coverage, available on DStv Premium and DStv Compact Plus. DStv Stream carries the online feed.
The Baltimore Test is the awkward one. Kick-off is 17:00 ET, which lands at 23:00 SAST on Saturday 12 September, so plan for a late night rather than an afternoon braai. Full-time will be well after midnight in South Africa.
We have a full fixture-by-fixture viewing guide at Where to watch Rugby's Greatest Rivalry in South Africa.
The head-to-head
Before the 2024 Cape Town Test, New Zealand led the historic record 62-41 with four draws in 107 Tests (NZ Herald). This tour has added three Tests to that record so far, one to New Zealand and two to South Africa.
Bok form on this tour reads two wins from two, by seven in Cape Town and five at FNB Stadium. Neither was comfortable, and the third Test was level at 12-12 at the break.
Match previews and rugby markets
This is the where and when page, so we don't quote prices on it. The market breakdown and our pick for the decider live at Springboks v All Blacks 2026, and the neutral explainer is at Rugby's Greatest Rivalry markets and series bets.
FAQ
When does the fourth Test kick off in South African time?
Saturday 12 September 2026 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. Local kick-off is 17:00 ET, which is 23:00 SAST.
Who leads the Test series?
South Africa lead 2-1 after winning 29-24 at FNB Stadium on 5 September 2026. A win or a draw in Baltimore takes the series.
Where can I watch every Test in South Africa?
SuperSport holds the SA broadcast rights. DStv Premium, DStv Compact Plus and DStv Stream carry the relevant coverage.
What is the Freedom Cup?
It is the trophy contested between the Boks and the All Blacks whenever they meet in a Test series.
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