2017 Test Series Win vs Ireland

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 lashed down on Westpac Stadium, turning the turf into a slick battlefield where every tackle echoed like a gunshot. In the final quarter, the scoreline was tight, the Irish defense a wall of blue that refused to crumble. Beauden Barrett caught his breath, eyes scanning the chaotic scrum ahead. He saw the gap, just a sliver of space between two towering defenders. With a grunt of exertion, he passed off to Ardie Savea, who crashed through the line, drawing three tackles before offloading. The ball spiraled through the wet air, landing perfectly in the hands of Rieko Ioane. One step, two steps, and then the try line was breached as the roar of the home crowd swallowed the sound of the referee's whistle.

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. Since 2004 New Zealand and South Africa have contested the Freedom Cup. It has remained a trophy contested annually in the Tri Nations Series/Rugby Championship since 2006.

Did You Know?

• 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.
• In the first 17 years of the 21st century, New Zealand compiled a 31–10 record over South Africa.
• South Africa lead the series 8–6 (with one draw) since the appointment of Rassie Erasmus as coach of the Springboks in 2018, including inflicting New Zealand's two worst ever defeats.
• 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.