France vs Ireland

Lore & Background

The tour was confirmed in October 2025, and meant a restructuring of the Rugby Championship, which was axed for 2026 and 2030. Since the earliest years of international rugby union, it was customary for 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 New Zealand on six occasions between 1928 and New Zealand's controversial 1976 tour. 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 brokered in August 2022 in Johannesburg. SABC Sport 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 rain lashed down at Stade de France, but the roar was different today. It wasn't the clash of giants from opposite hemispheres that defined the All Blacks' legacy, nor was it the historic grudge match against South Africa. Instead, the crowd watched a heated European contest between France and Ireland. The All Blacks were merely spectators in this narrative, their own history written in black and silver elsewhere. On the pitch, French flair met Irish grit, a battle for continental pride that had nothing to do with New Zealand's past, yet reminded the world of rugby's global tapestry.

Reader's Guide

The tour includes four test matches between South Africa and New Zealand, alongside five mid-week matches against the four South African United Rugby Championship provincial teams (Bulls, Lions, Sharks, Stormers) and a fixture against South Africa A. Two of the four tests are played in Johannesburg, one in Cape Town, and a fourth test at a neutral venue confirmed in January 2026 as M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. A South Africa women vs. New Zealand women match is scheduled at FNB Stadium on 5 September ahead of the third test. It is the first time the Freedom Cup has been contested over four tests.

Did You Know?

• The tour was confirmed in October 2025.
• The Rugby Championship was axed for 2026 and 2030.
• The fourth test is the first meeting between the two teams in the United States.
• Damian de Allende became the tenth Springbok 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.