VIDEO: Unique tour to the Republic is All Blacks' moment in time
New Zealand’s first tour to South Africa in three decades has been labelled a unique ‘moment in time’.
Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, an alternating quadrennial tour between South Africa and New Zealand, was confirmed on Thursday.
The venture marks a defining new chapter for the intense rivalry between the sport’s most successful and storied nations.
It will be the first time since 1996 that the Springboks host the All Blacks in the Republic in three consecutive Tests.
Details of the fourth Test, on foreign soil, will be confirmed in the coming months.
The All Blacks kick off the tour against the Stormers in Cape Town on Friday, August 7 and take on the Sharks, Bulls and Lions, to complement a four-Test series against the Springboks.
Ellis Park (Johannesburg), Cape Town Stadium (Cape Town), and Soccer City (Soweto) are confirmed as South African Test venues, preceding a landmark fourth Test hosted at a neutral international venue.
Scott Kevin Barrett was not even a year old when South Africa last toured New Zealand, in 1994, while he was still a pre-school toddler when the All Blacks toured South Africa in 1996.
However, Scott Maurice Robertson fondly remembers both tours.
(WATCH as All Black coach Scott Robertson and his captain Scott Barrett give their views on the ‘greatest rivalry’ tour of 2026…..)
“[The year] 1996 was an incredible moment for All Black rugby,” the man, fondly known as Razor, said of a series won two-one by the Kiwis.
It was New Zealand’s first series win in South Africa.
That tour squad was filled with decorated All Blacks like Sean Fitzpatrick, Jeff Wilson, Jonah Lomu, Christian Cullen, Zinzan Brooke and Michael Jones, to name but a few.
Barrett said it will be a ‘highlight’ in his career to tour South Africa.
“Having toured there during Super Rugby, for [only] two weeks and not going there for an extended period would be an amazing experience,” the All Black skipper said.
“It has been highly anticipated since it was announced,” he said of the media reports that have been emerging.
“These two nations have a strong rivalry and I am excited about playing them in a three-Test series [in South Africa].”
Robertson said touring a country is ‘unique’ in itself.
“I followed the [British and Irish] Lions series [in Australia earlier this year] with different eyes, knowing you do it [touring] next year,” the All Black coach said.
“They [the B&I Lions] weren’t playing on the Highveld or going up and down the country.
“It is not quite the same as the challenges of playing in the Republic.
“The tour is a unique part of our careers and also an opportunity for the public to see two great rivals go head-to-head.”
The coach described the 2026 safari as ‘a moment in time’.
“It breaks up the global calendar,” he said, adding: “We are just so patriotic and love our rugby so much.
“The timing of this [RGR], a year out from the World Cup, gives us a chance to build depth in our squad and find out about ourselves.
“What a place to go to, to find out if you are mentally or physically tough enough.
“It is the greatest challenge, and it has a place in the calendar.”
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