New Zealand last toured South Africa 30 years ago. The 2026 All Blacks tour changes that, bringing an 8-match programme that spans four provincial fixtures and a 4-Test series between the two most decorated teams in world rugby. Three Tests are played on South African soil, and the fourth heads to Baltimore for a neutral-venue showpiece designed to grow the game in the United States.
South Africa enters the series as back-to-back Rugby World Cup champions, the only nation to win consecutive World Cups since Australia managed it in 1999 and 2003. Their most recent meeting with New Zealand, in 2025, ended 43-10 to the Springboks. This guide covers every match, every venue, the betting landscape, and the historical context that makes this the standout rugby series of 2026.
Full Tour Fixtures
The 2026 All Blacks tour to South Africa consists of 8 matches: 4 provincial fixtures against Super Rugby sides, and a 4-Test series against the Springboks. Kickoff times for Tests are to be confirmed closer to the dates. All provincial matches take place before the Test series.
Stormers vs All Blacks
DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Provincial
Sharks vs All Blacks
Kings Park, Durban
Provincial
Bulls vs All Blacks
Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Provincial
South Africa vs New Zealand
Ellis Park, Johannesburg - 1st Test
1st Test
Lions vs All Blacks
Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Provincial
South Africa vs New Zealand
Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town - 2nd Test
2nd Test
South Africa vs New Zealand
FNB Stadium, Johannesburg - 94,000 capacity - 3rd Test
3rd Test
South Africa vs New Zealand
M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, USA - 4th Test (Neutral)
Neutral
The fixture list is built around the Test match schedule, with each provincial game giving the All Blacks a chance to assess form across their wider squad before the series opener. The Lions match on 25 August, played three days after the first Test, is a recovery week for most Test players but a key audition for squad members on the fringes of selection.
The 4 Tests
Each Test in the series has its own character, shaped by venue, atmosphere, and historical significance. Here's what to know about each fixture before you consider your bets.
1st Test - 22 August 2026
Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Venue: Ellis Park (Coca-Cola Park)
City: Johannesburg, Gauteng
Kickoff: TBC (SAST)
Ellis Park is the Springboks' most storied home ground and the venue where South Africa won the 1995 Rugby World Cup final in front of President Nelson Mandela. At altitude (1,753 metres above sea level), it creates a physical challenge for visiting teams not acclimatised to the conditions. The 1995 final remains one of the defining moments in South African sport, and Springboks teams consistently draw on that tradition at Ellis Park. Expect a sellout crowd and a hostile atmosphere from the first whistle.
2nd Test - 29 August 2026
Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Venue: Cape Town Stadium (DHL Newlands successor)
City: Cape Town, Western Cape
Kickoff: TBC (SAST)
Cape Town Stadium replaced the old Newlands ground as the Springboks' Cape Town home and sits adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean with a backdrop of Signal Hill. The Springboks have used Cape Town Stadium for high-profile Tests since Newlands closed, and the atmosphere in the city for a Test against New Zealand will be significant. The Western Cape's rugby culture runs deep, drawing strongly from the Stormers' supporter base and the broader rugby-mad communities of the Cape.
3rd Test - 5 September 2026
FNB Stadium, Johannesburg
Venue: FNB Stadium (Soccer City)
City: Johannesburg, Gauteng
Capacity: 94,000 - largest venue on tour
Kickoff: TBC (SAST)
FNB Stadium is South Africa's largest stadium and hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup final. At 94,000 capacity, it will be the biggest rugby crowd on the 2026 tour by some margin, assuming a strong ticket take-up. Holding a Test here creates an event that goes beyond the purely sporting, the stadium's scale demands a large crowd to avoid echoing emptiness, but demand for a Springboks vs All Blacks Test on home soil should be more than enough to fill it. This is likely to be the series' signature spectacle.
4th Test - 12 September 2026
M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore (Neutral)
Venue: M&T Bank Stadium (NFL home of Baltimore Ravens)
City: Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Kickoff: TBC (SAST / EST)
The 4th Test moves to neutral ground in the United States, part of World Rugby's long-running plan to develop the game in North America ahead of the 2031 Rugby World Cup on US soil. M&T Bank Stadium is best known as an American football venue but has hosted international rugby before. The neutral setting means neither team benefits from home crowd support, which may suit New Zealand if they arrive in Baltimore needing to win to level or take the series. SA-based bettors should note the time difference: a prime-time US evening kickoff will likely fall in the early hours of Sunday morning SAST.
Provincial Matches
The four provincial matches against Super Rugby sides are not just warm-up fixtures. They carry real significance: for the All Blacks, they provide match practice under pressure; for the South African provincial sides, they're the highest-profile games of their domestic calendar. And for selectors on both sides, they're a chance to assess squad depth before the Test series finalises.
Stormers vs All Blacks - 7 Aug
DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Super Rugby champions of the Western Cape
The Stormers have been the most consistent South African franchise in recent Super Rugby seasons and will treat this as a benchmark match. DHL Stadium is a tight, modern ground and the Cape Town crowd will be energetic. Watch which All Blacks backs are used here to read intent about Test selection in the back three and midfield.
Sharks vs All Blacks - 11 Aug
Kings Park, Durban
KwaZulu-Natal's flagship franchise
Kings Park in Durban is one of South Africa's best rugby atmospheres. The Sharks draw from a strong traditional base and have consistently produced Springbok Test players. For the All Blacks, the Sharks game is often a form indicator: if a Sharks forward pack tests them up front, it signals how Bok forwards might approach the series opener two weeks later.
Bulls vs All Blacks - 15 Aug
Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Altitude ground, strong set-piece tradition
Loftus Versfeld at altitude is one of the most demanding venues in world rugby for visiting sides. The Bulls are known for a physical, set-piece-driven game, which gives the All Blacks' front row a proper examination before the Test series. This match, a week before the first Test, is the most telling provincial fixture for reading Test form.
Lions vs All Blacks - 25 Aug
Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Three days after the 1st Test
The Lions match falls immediately after the series opener, which means Test players on both sides are rested. This is effectively a second-team outing for NZ, making it a valuable window for watching uncapped or fringe All Blacks. For Lions fans, it's a rare opportunity to face a full touring NZ squad even if the composition leans toward development players.
Provincial results matter for team selection signals, not just for the scoreboard. When the All Blacks lose to a provincial side, as has happened on previous tours, it usually triggers significant changes to Test team selection. Watch how New Zealand use their loose forwards across these four fixtures: it tends to foreshadow how they intend to attack the Springboks' breakdown dominance.
How to Bet on the Tour
The Springboks vs All Blacks series is one of the most bet-on rugby events in South Africa. All major licensed bookmakers offer a full range of rugby markets across every match. Below is a breakdown of the main bet types available, with notes on how each one works in a rugby context.
For stake calculations and return scenarios, use the bet calculator before placing.
Match Result
Low Risk
Back the winner of the match. Rugby uses a two-way market (no draw option in most cases since draws are rare in internationals). SA bookmakers price South Africa as favourites for the home Tests given recent form and the 30-year gap in All Blacks tours to SA.
Market: Home / Away
Tip: Check line movement
Handicap Betting
Medium Risk
A points handicap is added or subtracted from the final score to create a more even market. If Springboks are -8.5 favourites, they need to win by 9 or more for your bet to land. Handicaps make tight favourites more attractive odds and give underdogs a cushion. Rugby handicap margins are typically 3 to 12 points for Tests between top-tier nations.
Typical line: -5 to -12 for favourites
Tip: Watch team news before betting
First Try Scorer
High Risk
Predict which player scores the first try of the match. Back-three players, wingers and fullbacks, score first tries most frequently because of their involvement in early attacking phases. Odds range from around 5/1 for likely starters to 25/1 or more for props and locks. Check confirmed team sheets before placing as player positions shift.
Best odds: Wingers and fullbacks
Tip: Bet after team announcements
Anytime Try Scorer
Medium Risk
Your selection just needs to score a try at any point during the match. This is more forgiving than first try scorer and offers decent value on backs who play full 80-minute roles in high-scoring Tests. Springbok wingers Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse have strong try-scoring records in Test rugby. Check if they're in the starting team before placing.
Typical odds: 2/1 to 8/1
Tip: Target players with 70+ minutes expected
Total Points Over/Under
Low-Medium Risk
Bet on whether the combined total points in the match will be above or below a set line, typically 40.5 to 47.5 for a Springboks vs All Blacks Test. This is a useful market when you're unsure about the winner but have a view on how attacking or defensive the match will be. SA vs NZ Tests tend to be high-scoring when both teams are in form, the 43-10 result in 2025 suggests the Boks can score freely against a weakened All Blacks side.
Typical line: 40.5 to 47.5 points
Tip: Factor in weather and altitude
Series Winner
Low Risk
Back the team that wins the most Tests across the 4-match series. South Africa start as clear favourites given three home Tests, recent form, and World Cup credibility. However, a series winner market placed before the tour opens may offer better odds on New Zealand than match-by-match betting, if you believe they can push back in the second half of the tour. Bookmakers typically price series markets separately from match markets.
Market opens: Pre-tour announcement
Tip: Compare ante-post with match odds
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.
Some operators pay for featured placement, which is always disclosed.
Betway South Africa
Top Pick
★★★★★ 4.7/5
R10 Free Bet & 10 Aviator Flights
Betway has one of the deepest rugby betting menus of any SA operator. Live in-play betting is available on all Test matches with match result, handicap, next try scorer, and total points updating in real time. Live streaming is available on selected matches. The app holds up well under high-traffic match days, which matters when you're placing in-play bets during a Springboks vs All Blacks Test.
Hollywoodbets
★★★★▎ 4.5/5
R25 + 50 spins welcome bonus
South Africa's most popular bookmaker by active account count, Hollywoodbets has strong rugby coverage across all Tests and Super Rugby. Match result, try scorer, and handicap markets are available pre-match. A match tracker provides live score updates for in-play context. The platform's SA-first approach means it tends to have competitive pre-match odds on Springboks Tests specifically.
World Sports Betting (WSB)
★★★★▎ 4.6/5
R20,000 Bonus (100% match)
WSB covers more rugby markets than most SA competitors, with full Test match coverage including provincial games, series betting, and in-play. Live streaming is available on selected matches. The desktop and mobile platforms both carry a clean interface for rugby, making it easy to find specific markets, useful when navigating the try scorer and handicap options across multiple Test matches in a single week.
Sportingbet
★★★★▎ 4.4/5
Up to R3,000 + 300 Spins
Part of the global Betsson Group, Sportingbet has a strong rugby market built on its international infrastructure. Match result, handicap, and in-play markets are available. Live streaming for selected rugby Tests is included. Their odds on international rugby tend to be competitive when compared against global pricing, which can mean better value on the All Blacks' side of the market when SA-focused books shade prices toward the Springboks.
10Bet South Africa
★★★★▎ 4.6/5
Deposit R3,000 Get R3,000
10Bet offers a solid rugby betting menu with in-play options across all Springboks Tests. The welcome bonus at 100% up to R3,000 is one of the stronger offers in the SA market, making it a practical choice for higher-staking rugby bettors who want to leverage a first deposit. The platform supports both pre-match and in-play rugby markets with a clean mobile experience.
For a full comparison, see the best rugby betting sites in South Africa guide, or browse the complete ranking of all 44 SA licensed bookmakers.
Last Meeting
The most recent Springboks vs All Blacks match ended in a decisive victory for South Africa:
All Blacks 10 - Springboks 43 (2025)
That scoreline is notable. A 33-point winning margin between two of the world's best sides is not typical, it reflects both Springbok dominance in the current cycle and a New Zealand team that has struggled to match their early 2020s form since the 2023 World Cup final defeat to South Africa. The Springboks scored six tries to one.
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, South Africa became the only nation to win consecutive World Cups in the professional era.
The Springboks' coaching structure under Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber has built a system heavy on physicality, breakdown dominance, and tactical kicking that has proven difficult for other nations to adapt to. When that system is fully operational on home soil at altitude, as it will be at Ellis Park and Loftus Versfeld, New Zealand face a genuinely difficult challenge.
Historical Context
The Springboks and All Blacks have played each other more often than any other two rugby nations. South Africa leads the all-time head-to-head, though New Zealand's record at home is significantly stronger than South Africa's. The rarity of All Blacks tours to South Africa means the 2026 series is an opportunity for the Springboks to press home an advantage that neutral-venue and NZ-hosted Tests rarely allow.
The last time New Zealand toured South Africa was in 1996, when the All Blacks won the series 3-2 under Laurie Mains. South Africa's rugby landscape, and global rugby, have changed considerably in the 30 years since. What hasn't changed is the intensity of the rivalry and the significance of a home result against New Zealand for any generation of Springbok players.
Last SA Tour by NZ
1996 (30 years ago)
2025 Result
SA 43 - 10 NZ
SA World Cups
2019, 2023 (back-to-back)
2023 WC Final
SA 12 - 11 NZ
News and Updates
Latest Updates
Tour news will appear here as it breaks.
As the tour approaches, this section will carry confirmed team announcements, injury updates, ticket information, kickoff times, venue news, and odds movements. Check back weekly from June 2026.
Squads
Announced July 2026
Kickoff Times
TBC by SA Rugby
Tickets
On sale via SA Rugby
Bookmark this page and check back regularly for the latest Springboks vs All Blacks 2026 updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Springboks vs All Blacks series in 2026?
The 4-Test series runs from August to September 2026. Test 1 is on 22 August at Ellis Park, Test 2 on 29 August at Cape Town Stadium, Test 3 on 5 September at FNB Stadium, and Test 4 on 12 September at M&T Bank Stadium Baltimore.
Why is the 2026 All Blacks tour historically significant?
The 2026 tour is the first time New Zealand has toured South Africa in 30 years. Previous All Blacks tours to SA are rare, and a full 4-Test series on South African soil makes this the most ambitious Springboks vs All Blacks programme in modern rugby.
What was the last result between the Springboks and All Blacks?
The most recent result was in 2025, when the Springboks defeated the All Blacks 43-10. That result, combined with back-to-back World Cup wins in 2019 and 2023, means South Africa enters the 2026 tour as clear favourites.
How many Tests are in the 2026 series?
There are 4 Tests. Three are played in South Africa, at Ellis Park, Cape Town Stadium, and FNB Stadium, and the fourth is a neutral Test at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, USA.
What provincial matches are part of the All Blacks tour?
There are 4 provincial matches: Stormers (7 Aug, Cape Town), Sharks (11 Aug, Durban), Bulls (15 Aug, Pretoria), and Lions (25 Aug, Johannesburg). All four are played before and between the Tests.
What is the capacity of FNB Stadium and why is it significant?
FNB Stadium in Johannesburg holds 94,000 spectators, making it the largest rugby venue on the tour. Best known for hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup final, it is expected to sell out for the 3rd Test on 5 September 2026.
Where can I bet on the Springboks vs All Blacks series?
All major licensed South African bookmakers offer rugby betting on the series. Betway, Hollywoodbets, World Sports Betting, Sportingbet, and 10Bet all carry match result, handicap, try scorer, and series winner markets. See the best rugby betting sites guide for a full comparison.
What betting markets are available for the series?
Markets include match result, handicap, first try scorer, anytime try scorer, total points over/under, half-time result, and series winner. Live in-play betting is also available at most operators during the Tests.
Are the Springboks favourites to win the series?
Yes. The Springboks are defending back-to-back World Cup champions and beat New Zealand 43-10 in 2025. Three of the four Tests are on South African soil, and the home advantage at altitude is a real factor for the Ellis Park and Loftus Versfeld venues.
Why is the 4th Test in Baltimore?
The Baltimore Test is part of World Rugby's 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, provides a large venue for a flagship international. SA bettors should note the time difference: a US evening kickoff may fall in the early hours of Sunday morning SAST.
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