Springboks and All Blacks collide at Ellis Park as Greatest Rivalry series opens
South Africa and New Zealand open a four-Test rugby union series at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday 22 August 2026, with the Springboks holding five wins from the last six meetings between the two sides — including the 2023 Rugby World Cup final. English referee Matt Carley takes charge of the opener at the ground known as 10bet Ellis Park, where South Africa beat England 45-21 in an inaugural Nations Championship match last month, scoring seven tries to three. The series, billed as Rugby's Greatest Rivalry, will see a trophy awarded to the winners after a final Test in Baltimore, USA, on 12 September.
The tour marks 30 years since the All Blacks became the first New Zealand side to win a series in South Africa, back in 1996 — a feat former captain Sean Fitzpatrick, reflecting on that achievement, described as having taken everything from the squad. This time, All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has named a 44-strong touring party for matches in South Africa and the United States, with assistant coach Tana Umaga alongside him. The tour also includes fixtures against the Stormers, Sharks, Bulls and Lions.
Rennie's bench selection for the first Test sacrificed a back-up lock — a second-row forward — in favour of two loose forwards, Peter Lakai and Anton Segner, a clear signal that New Zealand intend to play at pace. Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus, who delayed naming his team until the Thursday before the match, sprang a surprise omission in prop Thomas du Toit.
The mind games have been well under way. Erasmus accused the New Zealand hierarchy of "preaching" about how the game should be played. Springboks assistant coach Felix Jones detailed that the All Blacks had been guilty of "tucking shoulders" and "pulling, lifting of legs" in rucks (the contest for the ball on the ground after a tackle) and mauls during tour matches against South African provinces. Former referee turned adviser Jaco Peyper, now part of the Springboks setup, insisted the Springboks are not a slow team — a rebuttal to suggestions that New Zealand's tempo would be decisive.
The recent record favours South Africa heavily. Five wins from six is a commanding run by any measure, though the All Blacks have history of their own dominance at this venue: they racked up 57 points across consecutive victories over the Springboks in 2016.
For fans, the appeal is straightforward. These are the two best rugby nations of the modern era, playing four Tests across two continents, with a trophy at the end. Ellis Park, perched high in Johannesburg at altitude, has hosted some of the most ferocious contests this fixture has produced. The series opener on Saturday is the first blow in a contest that runs through September.
