New Zealand head coach managing the All Blacks through a four-Test series against South Africa in 2026.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The Namibian
Dave Rennie said he knew Nonu would perform a solo Haka before the match
“New Zealand head coach Dave Rennie said he knew before a 54-0 tour victory over the Sharks in Durban on Tuesday that former All Black Ma'a Nonu would perform a solo Haka.”
All Blacks knew Nonu would perform solo Haka coach RennieThe Namibian
All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie will have concern over forced retirement of McKenzie with knee injury
“A possible concern for All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie will be the forced retirement of McKenzie with a knee injury before half-time.”
Eight-try New Zealand cruise to tour victory over SharksThe Namibian
Dave Rennie gave opportunities to many fringe players in 44-man squad
“All Blacks coach Dave Rennie gave opportunities to many of the fringe players in his 44-man squad.”
All Blacks strike late to secure opening win against StormersThe Namibian
Dave Rennie said full-scale rugby tour will have significant benefits for All Blacks
“New Zealand's first full-scale rugby tour of South Africa in 30 years will have significant benefits for them, head coach Dave Rennie said in Cape Town on Friday.”
Full scale tour will benefit All Blacks, says coach RennieThe Namibian
All Blacks coach Dave Rennie said the boys have really embraced the new strategy and they are in a good spot
“"We've put a lot of detail into our game, the boys have really embraced it," Rennie said after Saturday's convincing 40-21 win over a sloppy Ireland. "I'm really excited, I think we're in a good spot."”
Three things on Nations ChampionshipThe Namibian
Dave Rennie completed an encouraging start to his tenure as New All Blacks coach
“New All Blacks coach Dave Rennie completed an encouraging start to his tenure, with his side producing an improved display following home wins against France and Italy.”
Six-try All Blacks see off Ireland at Eden Park fortressThe Namibian
Coach Dave Rennie has confirmed he won't be selecting playmaker Richie Mo'unga
“The All Blacks are well advanced in their planning for the looming series against South Africa but coach Dave Rennie has confirmed he won't be selecting playmaker Richie Mo'unga.”
Rennie reveals All Blacks plans for Springboks seriesThe Namibian
Rennie revealed he already has pencilled in a team for next month's first of four Tests against the Springboks
“Rennie revealed he already has a team pencilled in for next month's first of four Tests against the world champion Springboks, dubbed the "Greatest Rivalry" series.”
Rennie reveals All Blacks plans for Springboks seriesThe Namibian
Dave Rennie was the new coach for New Zealand's first Test
“It was the All Blacks' first Test under new coach Dave Rennie and he saw France, who scored four tries, run his team close despite fielding a line-up without any players from top clubs Toulouse and Montpellier.”
New Zealand edge France 34-32 in thriller to open Nations ChampionshipThe Namibian
Dave Rennie was coach of Waikato Chiefs during back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013
“The Chiefs haven't won since back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013, under new All Blacks coach Dave Rennie.”
‘Pretty special’: captains eye Super Rugby glory in clash of top seedsThe 2025 Rugby World Cup kicks off October 1 in Australia with a record 24 teams playing over six weeks across seven cities, and more than 750,000 pre-sale tickets have already been sold from 135 countries.
30 September 2026 · The Namibian →
The 2025 Rugby World Cup kicks off October 1 in Australia with a record 24 teams playing over six weeks across seven cities, and more than 750,000 pre-sale tickets have already been sold from 135 countries.
30 September 2026 · The Namibian →
South Africa captain Siya Kolisi says the Springboks are ready to face a much-changed All Blacks side in Baltimore on Saturday, the fourth and final Test of the series. Leading 2-1, the world champions are favoured to wrap up the series victory despite New Zealand coach Dave Rennie making several changes including an entirely new front row.
12 September 2026 · The Namibian →
South Africa defeated New Zealand 29-24 in the third Test in Johannesburg, taking a 2-1 series lead. Star players Cheslin Kolbe (jaw) and Ardie Savea (shoulder) were injured and ruled out of the series finale in Baltimore.
5 September 2026 · The Namibian →
South Africa and New Zealand meet in Johannesburg on Saturday for a 2-1 series lead, following days of verbal sparring over scrumming tactics between the two head coaches and support staff.
4 September 2026 · The Namibian →
South Africa's coach Rassie Erasmus rejected All Blacks coach Dave Rennie's criticism of the Springboks' scrumming techniques following South Africa's 33-26 victory over New Zealand in Cape Town. Erasmus said Rennie's comments about the Springboks "walking around" in scrums were "nonsense," pointing instead to New Zealand's collapsing scrums.
31 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Former All Blacks captain Sean Fitzpatrick told AFP that the current New Zealand team must "get everything right" to win a four-Test series against South Africa that begins Saturday, saying they cannot afford yellow cards or bad scrums. The series, billed as the "Greatest Rivalry," will be played at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, Cape Town, a Johannesburg soccer stadium, and Baltimore over consecutive Saturdays.
20 August 2026 · The Namibian →
New Zealand head coach Dave Rennie said playing a four-Test series against South Africa "will be a lot tougher than a Rugby World Cup", with the Springboks offering greater strength of opposition than World Cup finalists face. Both teams will be about a year away from the 2027 World Cup when the series ends.
17 August 2026 · The Namibian →
South Africa captain Siya Kolisi and prop Ox Nche are doubtful for the first Test against New Zealand on Saturday in Johannesburg, head coach Rassie Erasmus said Monday. Kolisi suffered a hamstring injury in Argentina this month, while Nche has not played since a knee injury in July.
17 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Veteran hooker Codie Taylor marked his debut as New Zealand captain with two tries in a 50-19 victory over the Bulls in Pretoria. The win came ahead of New Zealand's first Test against South Africa next Saturday.
15 August 2026 · The Namibian →
New Zealand head coach Dave Rennie confirmed that former All Black Ma'a Nonu's solo Haka performance after the All Blacks' traditional pre-match ritual during a 54-0 tour victory over the Sharks in Durban was planned. Nonu, a 44-year-old Sharks substitute, consulted with defence coach Tana Umaga about the appropriate way to respond respectfully to the haka.
12 August 2026 · The Namibian →
New Zealand scored eight tries to defeat the Sharks 54-0 on Tuesday in the second match of a South Africa tour. Wing Fehi Fineanganofo scored a try in each half, while the Sharks were depleted by Springbok call-ups and injuries.
11 August 2026 · The Namibian →
New Zealand All Blacks secured a 38-21 win over the Stormers in their South African tour opener at Cape Town Stadium on Friday, scoring four tries in the final stages after the teams were tied at 14-14. The All Blacks will face the Springboks in four Tests after two more matches against local franchises.
7 August 2026 · The Namibian →
South Africa and New Zealand are undertaking an extended rugby tour that begins in Cape Town on Friday and concludes in the United States 12,700 kilometres away. From August 29 to September 12, the two world-ranked teams will play exclusive Tests in Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Baltimore, with the tour branded the 'Greatest Rivalry' and scheduled to occur every four years.
6 August 2026 · The Namibian →
New Zealand head coach Dave Rennie said the All Blacks' first full-scale rugby tour of South Africa in 30 years will have significant benefits, including chances for all squad members to play through midweek games against provincial sides and four Tests against the Springboks, with the tour running from August 22 through to a final match in Baltimore on September 12.
31 July 2026 · The Namibian →
South Africa and France top their respective tables after the southern hemisphere Tests in the inaugural Nations Championship. The Springboks, New Zealand and other southern hemisphere nations will visit the northern hemisphere in November to play three Tests apiece before a grand final at Twickenham on November 27-29.
20 July 2026 · The Namibian →
New Zealand defeated Ireland 40-21 in a Test match on Saturday, extending their unbeaten streak at Eden Park to 53 matches. The All Blacks scored four of their six tries in the first half to lead 28-7 at the interval, securing a third win in the Nations Championship.
18 July 2026 · The Namibian →
All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has confirmed that playmaker Richie Mo'unga will not be selected for the upcoming four-Test series against South Africa, as Mo'unga remains ineligible under national union eligibility rules until October due to his time playing club rugby in Japan.
17 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Will Jordan scored a hat-trick to become New Zealand's record try-scorer as the All Blacks defeated Italy 47-17 in a Nations Championship Test, improving their record to two wins from two under new coach Dave Rennie.
11 July 2026 · The Namibian →
New Zealand's All Blacks held on to edge an under-strength France 34-32 in a nine-try thriller in Christchurch to open the inaugural Nations Championship, with Cam Roigard and Will Jordan scoring twice each in Dave Rennie's first Test as coach.
4 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The Waikato Chiefs and Wellington Hurricanes meet in the Super Rugby final on Saturday, with both teams seeking their first title in over a decade. The top two seeds previously met this season with the Chiefs winning 22-17 in extra time.
19 June 2026 · The Namibian →