The Boks lead this series 2-1 with one Test left, and we did not see that coming after Ellis Park. South Africa won 33-26 at DHL Stadium in Cape Town on 29 August, then took the third Test 29-24 at FNB Stadium on 5 September. New Zealand's only Test win was the opener, 33-16 at Ellis Park on 22 August.
So the maths is short. A Bok win or a draw at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Saturday 12 September wins the series, and New Zealand have to win to square it 2-2. Kick-off is 17:00 local time in Maryland, which is 23:00 SAST, per the Maryland Stadium Authority.
Nobody should pretend the All Blacks have been poor. They swept all four provincial games, put 54 on the Sharks at Kings Park, and won the first Test at altitude. What changed is the Bok bench: the bomb squad decided both of the last two Tests, and the Cape Town win took South Africa back to world No 1, as The Citizen reported.
Everything below is where the tour stands on Monday 7 September: all seven completed results, the squad news out of both camps, and the markets worth a look on the last Test.
State of Play
The decider lost its two best finishers on Sunday 6 September, and the loss lands heavier on New Zealand. Ardie Savea is out with a dislocated shoulder and Cheslin Kolbe is out with a broken jaw, so both sides travel to Baltimore short.
Savea is the bigger hole. He captains the side, he scored twice at FNB Stadium, and New Zealand are the team that has to win rather than manage a draw, so they lose their captain in the exact week they need him to force the pace. Kolbe hurts too, but South Africa can cover a wing with Aphelele Fassi, Grant Williams and Canan Moodie, and the bench that won the last two Tests is intact.
That is why we still make the Boks the side to beat on 12 September. Full squad detail is in the team news section below.
Eight matches were scheduled and seven are done. The All Blacks won all four provincial fixtures, then took the first Test before the Boks won the next two. Here's every completed result plus the Baltimore decider.
| Date | Match | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 Aug | Stormers v All Blacks | DHL Stadium, Cape Town | Stormers 21 - 38 All Blacks |
| 11 Aug | Sharks v All Blacks | Kings Park, Durban | Sharks 0 - 54 All Blacks |
| 15 Aug | Bulls v All Blacks | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria | Bulls 19 - 50 All Blacks |
| 22 Aug | 1st Test: South Africa v New Zealand | Ellis Park, Johannesburg | South Africa 16 - 33 New Zealand |
| 25 Aug | Lions v All Blacks | Ellis Park, Johannesburg | Lions 35 - 41 All Blacks |
| 29 Aug | 2nd Test: South Africa v New Zealand | DHL Stadium, Cape Town | South Africa 33 - 26 New Zealand |
| 5 Sept | 3rd Test: South Africa v New Zealand | FNB Stadium, Johannesburg | South Africa 29 - 24 New Zealand |
| 12 Sept | 4th Test: South Africa v New Zealand | M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore | Kick-off 23:00 SAST |
The series maths does not need a calculator. South Africa are 2-1 up with one to play, so a win in Baltimore takes the series 3-1 and a draw takes it 2-1 with one drawn. Only a New Zealand win gets the tour back to 2-2, and both halves of the trophy are handed over after the final whistle, per allblacks.com.
Worth holding onto: the provincial clean sweep means the touring squad has depth that the Test scoreline hides. The Boks have won the last two by seven and five points, and both were level or close at the break.
On this page
Full Tour Fixtures
The tour is 8 matches: 4 provincial fixtures and a 4-Test series. The three Tests in South Africa kicked off at 17:05 SAST and the midweek provincial games at 19:00 SAST. The Baltimore Test kicks off at 17:00 ET on Saturday 12 September, which is 23:00 SAST for anyone planning a late one.
Stormers 21 - 38 All Blacks
Sharks 0 - 54 All Blacks
Bulls 19 - 50 All Blacks
South Africa 16 - 33 New Zealand
Lions 35 - 41 All Blacks
South Africa 33 - 26 New Zealand
South Africa 29 - 24 New Zealand
Saturday 12 September, 23:00 SAST
Read that list again and the shape of the tour is obvious. The All Blacks banked their four provincial wins and the first Test inside 15 days, then the Boks turned it around in Cape Town and Johannesburg. Baltimore is the only fixture left that decides anything.
The 4 Tests
Three Tests played, one left. Here's what each one produced, and what the Baltimore decider gives you to work with.
Provincial Matches
The All Blacks won all four provincial matches, and only one of them was close. Results and margins below, sourced from SA Rugby magazine and allblacks.com.
Four from four, and 183 points scored across the provincial leg. It says the touring squad is deep, which is the one thing working in New Zealand's favour with Savea, Tupaea and Jacobson all out of Baltimore.
How to Bet on the Tour
One match left, so the market has narrowed with it. Below are the bet types SA operators actually put up for a one-off Test like Baltimore, and how each one behaves. We name no prices here because we have not verified any, and a stale number is worse than none.
For stake calculations and return scenarios, use the bet calculator before placing.
Use the bet calculator to work out returns across single bets, doubles, and accumulators across the Test series. For more rugby betting strategies, see the live betting guide for South Africa.
Best Bookmakers for Rugby Betting
These five bookmakers offer the strongest rugby betting coverage among licensed South African operators. Rankings reflect rugby market depth, in-play availability, platform reliability on match days, and bonus value. A 23:00 SAST kick-off makes in-play stability matter more than usual.
Some operators pay for featured placement, which is always disclosed.
For a full comparison, see the best rugby betting sites in South Africa guide, or browse the complete ranking of all 47 SA-licensed bookmakers.
Recent Form and Rivalry Stats
Last Meeting
The most recent Springboks vs All Blacks match was the third Test at FNB Stadium on 5 September 2026:
It was 12-12 at the break with four tries each, so the margin came from the bench rather than the scoreboard pattern. Arendse, a penalty try, Kriel and Marx scored for South Africa. Savea got two, Jordan and Tauke'iaho one apiece, and Planet Rugby put the win down to bomb squad grunt after the hour.
Springbok World Cup Credentials
South Africa became back-to-back World Cup champions in 2023, defeating France, England, and New Zealand across the tournament. The 2023 final against the All Blacks in Paris ended 12-11 in one of the tightest deciders in the event's history. Combined with the 2019 World Cup win over England in Japan, the Springboks joined New Zealand as the only nations to win consecutive World Cups in the professional era. New Zealand achieved that back-to-back first, winning in 2011 and 2015. South Africa then matched it with 2019 and 2023.
Both of the last two wins came the same way: stay in touch to the hour, then empty a bench built to finish matches. That worked at DHL Stadium off a 24-14 half-time lead and it worked at FNB Stadium off level scores. Baltimore is the test of whether it travels to a neutral ground with no altitude and no home crowd.
Historical Context
This is the first New Zealand tour of South Africa in 30 years, and the first time the All Blacks have played all four SA franchises plus a four-Test series in one visit. Three of those Tests were on South African soil and the fourth leaves the continent entirely, which is new ground for the rivalry.
The last time New Zealand toured South Africa was in 1996, with John Hart as All Blacks head coach. South Africa won that series 2-1. Thirty years later the Boks are 2-1 up again with one to play, which is either a nice piece of symmetry or a reason for the touring side to change the ending in Baltimore.
Baltimore Team News
Both camps moved on Sunday 6 September, and between them fourteen players dropped out of the decider. Here's what each side confirmed.
All Blacks: Savea out of the decider, nine short in a 36-man squad
Head coach Dave Rennie named a 36-man squad for Baltimore on Sunday 6 September, and his captain is not in it. Ardie Savea has a dislocated shoulder, Quinn Tupaea has an MCL injury and Luke Jacobson has an elbow problem, per rugby365.
Six more flew home with them: Josh Jacomb, Siale Lauaki, Saula Ma'u, Cortez Ratima with a knee injury, Bradley Slater and Ofa Tu'ungafasi. Savea scored twice at FNB Stadium and led the tour's best loose trio, so the side that has to win the Test just lost the forward most likely to win it for them.
Cortez Ratima going home also thins the halfback cover, which matters in a Test New Zealand will need to play at pace after the hour.
Springboks: Kolbe stays home with a broken jaw, Pollard and Willemse travel
Cheslin Kolbe broke his jaw tackling Luke Jacobson and is out of the fourth Test, per Africa Soccer. Ben-Jason Dixon is not travelling either, still carrying concussion symptoms, and Carlu Sadie, Ntuthuko Mchunu and Boan Venter all stay in South Africa.
The travelling group reads better than that list suggests. Handre Pollard travels, Damian Willemse is available, Herschel Jantjies has been added, and Canan Moodie is expected to be ready for selection, per rugby365.
Aphelele Fassi and Quan Horn travel as back-three cover and Grant Williams goes as a scrumhalf who can fill in on the wing. Kolbe is a genuine loss on the counter, but that is four ways to cover one jersey against a squad missing its captain.
Neither side has named a starting XV for Baltimore. We update this page as the team sheets land. Nothing here is a price, and we will not publish one we have not checked.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Springboks vs All Blacks series in 2026?
Three of the four Tests are played. New Zealand won the opener 33-16 at Ellis Park on 22 August, South Africa won 33-26 at DHL Stadium in Cape Town on 29 August, and South Africa won 29-24 at FNB Stadium on 5 September. The fourth Test is on Saturday 12 September at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, kick-off 23:00 SAST.
Why is the 2026 All Blacks tour historically significant?
It is the first New Zealand tour of South Africa in 30 years, and the Baltimore Test on 12 September 2026 is the first Springboks v All Blacks Test played in the United States. The All Blacks also played all four South African franchises, which no touring side has done here in the professional era.
What was the last result between the Springboks and All Blacks?
South Africa beat New Zealand 29-24 at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on 5 September 2026. It was 12-12 at half-time and both sides scored four tries. Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel and Malcolm Marx scored for the Boks, along with a penalty try.
How many Tests are in the 2026 series?
There are 4 Tests. Three were played in South Africa, at Ellis Park, DHL Stadium in Cape Town and FNB Stadium, and the fourth is a neutral Test at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, USA. South Africa lead the series 2-1 going into it.
What provincial matches are part of the All Blacks tour?
There were 4 provincial matches and the All Blacks won all four. Stormers 21 All Blacks 38 on 7 August at DHL Stadium, Sharks 0 All Blacks 54 on 11 August at Kings Park, Bulls 19 All Blacks 50 on 15 August at Loftus Versfeld, and Lions 35 All Blacks 41 on 25 August at Ellis Park.
What is the capacity of FNB Stadium and why is it significant?
FNB Stadium in Johannesburg holds 94,000 spectators, making it the largest venue used on the 2026 tour. It is best known as the venue for the 2010 FIFA World Cup final, and it hosted the third Test on 5 September 2026, which South Africa won 29-24.
Where can I bet on the Springboks vs All Blacks series?
All major licensed South African bookmakers offer rugby betting on the Baltimore Test. Betway, Hollywoodbets, World Sports Betting, Sportingbet and 10Bet all carry match result, handicap, half-time result, try scorer and series result markets.
What betting markets are available for the series?
Markets on the Baltimore Test include match result, handicap, half-time result and first-half handicap, first try scorer, anytime try scorer, total points over/under, and the series result, which is now effectively a two-way. Live in-play betting is available at most operators.
Are the Springboks favourites to win the series?
South Africa lead the series 2-1 with one Test left, so a win or a draw in Baltimore wins it for them. New Zealand have to win to square the series 2-2. Baltimore is a neutral venue, so neither side has a home crowd.
Why is the 4th Test in Baltimore?
The neutral venue Test in Baltimore is part of the strategy to grow rugby in North America ahead of the 2031 Rugby World Cup in the USA. M&T Bank Stadium, home of the NFL's Baltimore Ravens, holds 71,000. Local kick-off is 17:00 ET, which is 23:00 SAST on Saturday 12 September 2026.
Related Pages
Gambling should be treated as entertainment, not a source of income. Set a deposit limit before you start. If you or someone you know needs support, contact the SA Responsible Gambling Foundation free helpline: 0800 006 008 (24/7, free to call).