Springboks

South Africa national rugby team competing in a four-Test series against New Zealand and the inaugural Nations Championship in 2026.

2023-05-042026-08-21

What’s been said

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

August 2026
20 AugThe Namibian
Springboks are world champions and top-ranked
Source
“On Saturday, world champions and top-ranked South Africa and second-ranked New Zealand begin a four-Test series marketed as the "Greatest Rivalry" at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.”
All Blacks must get ‘everything right’ to beat Springboks, says legend Fitzpatrick
6 AugThe Namibian
Springboks have won back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles
Source
“The tour pits nations that have won seven of the 10 Rugby World Cup tournaments between them, including the last four with the All Blacks, then the Springboks, winning back-to-back titles.”
Back to the future as world champion Springboks host All Blacks
July 2026
17 JulThe Namibian
The Springboks are the world champions in rugby
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
March 2026
3 MarThe Namibian
Springboks are set to face England, Wales and Scotland at home in the Nations Championship
Source
“After a non-cap match against the Barbarians in Gqeberha on June 20, the Springboks are set to face England, Wales and Scotland at home in the new Nations Championship.”
No experiments for Springboks in tough 2026, says Erasmus
3 MarThe Namibian
Springboks will play four Tests against the New Zealand All Blacks in a series
Source
“They will then play four Tests against the New Zealand All Blacks in a series being billed as "The Greatest Rivalry".”
No experiments for Springboks in tough 2026, says Erasmus
June 2025
27 JunThe Namibian
Springboks are scheduled to face Italy in a two-Test series
Source
“The tourists now head to South Africa to face the world champion Springboks with the first Test on July 5 in Pretoria and the second on July 12 in Gqeberha.”
Italy prepare for Springboks by hammering Namibia

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 →

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 →

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 →

Tuesday 3 March

Springboks to prioritise consistency over experimentation in 2026
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus said he would seek more consistency in selection during a challenging 2026 fixture list featuring the Nations Championship, a four-Test series against New Zealand, and an end-of-year tour, with less experimentation than the nine changes per game average in 2025.
3 March 2026 · The Namibian →