Dave Rennie

New Zealand All Blacks head coach who took charge in 2026, overseeing matches against South Africa and Nations Championship opponents.

2026-06-192026-08-21

What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

July 2026
17 JulThe Namibian
Coach Dave Rennie has confirmed he won't be selecting playmaker Richie Mo'unga
Source
“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 series
17 JulThe Namibian
Rennie revealed he already has pencilled in a team for next month's first of four Tests against the Springboks
Source
“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 series
4 JulThe Namibian
Dave Rennie was the new coach for New Zealand's first Test
Source
“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 Championship
June 2026
19 JunThe Namibian
Dave Rennie was coach of Waikato Chiefs during back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013
Source
“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 seeds

Sport

All Blacks must execute perfectly to beat Springboks in series

The News

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 →

Yesterday

All Blacks must execute perfectly to beat Springboks in series
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 →

Monday 17 August

All Blacks coach says SA series tougher than World Cup
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 injury concerns ahead of New Zealand Test
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 →

Saturday 15 August

New Zealand beats Bulls 50-19 in tour match
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 →

Wednesday 12 August

All Blacks beat Sharks 54-0; Nonu performs solo Haka response
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 →

Tuesday 11 August

New Zealand beats Sharks 54-0 in South Africa tour
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 →

Friday 7 August

All Blacks defeat Stormers 38-21 with late tries
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 →

Thursday 6 August

South Africa and New Zealand begin extended rugby tour
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 →

Friday 31 July

All Blacks coach: full South Africa tour will benefit team
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 →

Monday 20 July

South Africa, France lead inaugural Nations Championship
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 →

Saturday 18 July

All Blacks beat Ireland 40-21, extend Eden Park winning streak
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 →

Friday 17 July

All Blacks coach confirms Mo'unga excluded from Springboks series
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 →

Saturday 11 July

Will Jordan breaks All Blacks try-scoring record
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 →

Saturday 4 July

New Zealand beats France 34-32 in inaugural Nations Championship
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 →

Friday 19 June

Chiefs face Hurricanes in Super Rugby final clash
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 →