2005 Test Match vs England (London)

Lore & Background

The 1981 Springbok tour of New Zealand resulted in the largest mass civil unrest in New Zealand history as people protested over the Springboks coming to tour their country due to the then South African government's policy of Apartheid. Consequently, subsequent tours were cancelled and the All Blacks and Springboks did not meet again until August 1992, in Johannesburg, when the Springboks were re-admitted to World Rugby. The 1995 World Cup final between these two nations, with Springbok captain Francois Pienaar holding aloft the world cup trophy alongside former South African President, Nelson Mandela, is an iconic moment in the sport's history - and seen as a pivotal moment in South Africa's post-apartheid nation-building.

In Their Own Story

The rain slicked the grass at Twickenham as the final whistle blew, but the silence from the home crowd was heavier than any noise. Dan Carter stood at the center circle, jersey stained with mud and sweat, watching his teammates celebrate a scoreline that would haunt English rugby for years. The roar of 'C'mon New Zealand' echoed off the stands, a sound that seemed to vibrate through the very foundations of the stadium, signaling that the Invincibles had truly arrived.

Reader's Guide

They have faced each other 110 times with New Zealand winning 63 times, South Africa 43 times and with 4 draws between the two sides. New Zealand is the only nation to have won more games than it has lost against South Africa, and South Africa has the highest win percentage in the world against New Zealand. It took New Zealand 35 years to win their first series against South Africa (in 1956), and not until 1996 did New Zealand win their first series on South African soil (South Africa had won a series in New Zealand in 1937). Since 2004 New Zealand and South Africa have contested the Freedom Cup.

Did You Know?

• The rivalry was close for eighty years between 1921–2000, when New Zealand led the head-to-head by 27–26.
• In the first 17 years of the 21st century, New Zealand compiled a 31–10 record over South Africa.
• South Africa's resurgence since the appointment of Rassie Erasmus as coach of the Springboks in 2018 has resulted in the rivalry reigniting, as South Africa lead the series 8–6 (with one draw) since his appointment, incl
• The two sides are responsible for each other's largest defeats with New Zealand beating South Africa 57–0 in 2017 and South Africa beating New Zealand 43–10 in 2025.