New Zealand’s upcoming back-to-back Tests against the Springboks in South Africa is a “red-hot” taste of the epic tours that will resume in 2026 between the old rivals.
Writing for RugbyPass, author and rugby analyst Nick Bishop highlights the revival of tours as a major gain for rugby, harking back to an era where these encounters defined the sport.
The Kiwis returned to winning ways in style against Argentina in Auckland last week, while a Bok whitewash of the Wallabies Down Under has set Rassie Erasmus’ men up nicely for a rematch of the 2023 Rugby World Cup final in the Republic.
The All Blacks face the world champions on 31 August at Ellis Park, before a 7 September duel in Cape Town.
In SA Rugby’s annual report for 2023, the governing body confirmed that the All Blacks will tour South Africa in 2026 and play a three-Test series against the Springboks.
New Zealand will also face the DHL Stormers, Vodacom Bulls, Lions and Sharks, as well as a South Africa ‘A’ team.
MORE: All Blacks must boss Boks – Read
Bishop believes that such tours push teams to their limits, revealing true character. He notes that New Zealand’s recent performance against Argentina shows improvement, particularly with prop Tamaiti Williams stepping up.
But as they head to SA, the All Blacks will be truly tested, offering glimpses of their future under Scott Robertson, against their fiercest rivals.
“New Zealand’s second offering against the Pumas was far better than the first, as it properly needed to be,” Bishop writes.
“There was a notable contribution from Williams in the tight phases which bodes well for the tougher tests to come in South Africa.
“The temperature in the Rugby Championship is about to rise from mild and relatively agreeable to volcanic, or red-hot. The age-old rivalry between New Zealand and South Africa will resume with their mini-tour the preface to a much longer, eight-match chapter in the greatest rugby history book of all two years hence.
“On that tour, the All Blacks will find out more about themselves, and what has happened to South African rugby in the northern hemisphere than they may care to know.”
Photo: Julian Finney/Getty Images
The post All Blacks’ SA mini-tour a ‘volcanic’ appetiser appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Src: sarugbymag.co.za
