All Blacks vs Lions

Lore & Background

Since the earliest years of international rugby union, it was customary for the three former British dominions of Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa to undertake reciprocal touring arrangements. Between 1903 and 1995, Australia and New Zealand alone conducted more than forty tours of one another, while South Africa hosted Australia and New Zealand on five and six occasions respectively between 1928 and New Zealand's controversial 1976 tour. During the mid to late twentieth century, this system of extended, bilateral tours was periodically expanded to include the rugby nations of Europe. International rugby was defined by these lengthy tours and persisted until the introduction of the quadrennial Rugby World Cup in 1987. Following South Africa's readmission to international rugby in the early 1990s, the country hosted and participated in its first Rugby World Cup in 1995. That same year marked the formal professionalisation of rugby union. In 1995, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa established SANZAR and the annual Tri Nations Series (now the Rugby Championship), effectively ending the traditional touring practice. The Daily Maverick reported in February 2024 that 'advanced talks' were taking place between SARU and NZR about a possible return of traditional tours, with initial talks having been brokered in August 2022 in Johannesburg. SABC Sport later reported in May 2024 that traditional tours were set to resume in 2026 on a four-year reciprocal cycle. The tour was officially confirmed in October 2025.

In Their Own Story

The air in Eden Park was thick with anticipation, a humid blanket over the pristine grass as the two teams lined up for the haka. The Lions, clad in their iconic red jerseys, stood firm, eyes locked on the black-clad giants before them. As the challenge of 'Ka Mate' thundered through the night, a collective breath seemed to leave the crowd. When the final chant faded into silence, only the sound of boots shifting on turf remained. The whistle blew, and the greatest rivalry in rugby union began anew.

Reader's Guide

The tour includes four test matches between South Africa and New Zealand, with two tests played in Johannesburg (Ellis Park Stadium and FNB Stadium), one in Cape Town (Cape Town Stadium), and one at a neutral venue confirmed in January 2026 as M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. It is the first time the two teams have met each other in the United States. The tour also includes mid-week matches against the four South African United Rugby Championship provincial teams (Bulls, Lions, Sharks, Stormers) and a fixture against South Africa A. The full tour schedule was revealed on 16 October 2025.

Did You Know?

• The 2026 tour is the first time the Freedom Cup has been contested over four tests.
• The neutral venue for the fourth test is M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, United States.
• Damian de Allende became the tenth Springbok player to earn 100 test caps during the first test.
• Pieter-Steph du Toit became the eleventh Springbok to earn 100 test caps during the second test.
• Ox Nché earned his 50th test cap during the second test.