All Blacks vs Springboks 2026: Watch, Head-to-Head & News

Few rivalries in sport stir the same passion as an All Blacks vs Springboks test. Whether you’re a fan in New Zealand staying up for a night match or a South African planning a braai around the kick-off, these clashes carry decades of history and the weight of two nations.

Total test matches played: 107 (pre-2025) · New Zealand wins: 62 · South Africa wins: 40 · Draws: 6 · Next major series: 2026 Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tour (4 Tests) · New Zealand broadcaster: Sky Sport (Sky NZ)

Before analysing the broadcast options and player news, here is the statistical spine of the rivalry — key facts that define 100 years of contests.

The implication: the All Blacks’ historical dominance is undisputed, but the Springboks have closed the gap decisively in World Cup finals.

Where can I watch the All Blacks vs Springboks?

Finding a reliable broadcast starts with knowing which rights holder covers your region. The table below shows the primary options for New Zealand, South Africa, and international viewers.

The pattern: local broadcasters block NZR+ in their territories, so check the All Blacks match page before buying a subscription.

The implication: if you live in a region where a local broadcaster holds rights, NZR+ will be geo-blocked. Always check the official All Blacks match page for confirmed broadcast partners before match day.

Official broadcasters in New Zealand

• Sky Sport holds exclusive pay-TV rights for all All Blacks Tests (Sky NZ sports page).
• Select matches are simulcast free-to-air on TVNZ+ (All Blacks Nation guide).
• Sky Sport Now offers a streaming-only subscription without a cable contract (official service).

Official broadcasters in South Africa

• SuperSport is the sole broadcast partner via DStv (SuperSport rugby).
• No free-to-air alternative is currently announced for the 2026 Tests.
• International visitors may access SuperSport via a DStv streaming pass.

Streaming options and live coverage

• NZR+ Premium streams live Tests in 40+ countries where no broadcaster holds local rights (NZR+ terms).
• Flo Rugby holds rights for the USA, including the Baltimore Test on September 12, 2026 (Flo Rugby schedule).
• YouTube and social media channels will carry highlights but not live feeds (All Blacks YouTube).

What TV channel is the rugby on tonight in NZ?

A common frustration is finding the exact channel and time for a live All Blacks match in New Zealand. Here is how to decode the listings.

Sky Sport channel numbers

• Sky Sport 1 (channel 051) carries most All Blacks Tests (Sky channel guide).
• Sky Sport 2 (channel 052) may host alternate coverage or replays.
• Sky Sport 7 (channel 057) often shows pre-game and post-game analysis.

Check local listings

• Use the Sky TV electronic programme guide (EPG) or the Sky Go app to search “All Blacks”.
• TVNZ+ lists free-to-air games under their “Sport” section (TVNZ streaming catalogue).

Alternative streaming via Sky Sport Now

• Sky Sport Now is a broadband-only service with no satellite dish required (sign-up page).
• Monthly plans start at NZ$19.99 (as of 2025) and include all Sky Sport channels.
• Live pause and replay features are available for delayed viewing.

The pattern: Sky Sport 1 remains the default for most New Zealand fans, but Sky Sport Now eliminates the satellite barrier at streaming prices.

What has happened to FAF de Klerk?

Faf de Klerk, the Springboks scrum-half known for his box-kicks and tenacity, confirmed his next move after leaving Japanese club Canon Eagles. Separately, a namesake Faf du Plessis (a cricketer) is out of SA20 with a thumb injury — a confusion that often surfaces in search.

Faf de Klerk’s recent move

• De Klerk announced on his official Facebook page that he had completed his stint in Japan and was ready for a new challenge.
• Reports from Planet Rugby suggest interest from several European clubs, but no official signing has been disclosed.

Why Faf du Plessis is out (if distinct)

• Faf du Plessis, the former South African cricket captain, is missing the SA20 season due to a thumb injury (ESPN cricket report).
• This injury does not affect Springboks rugby selection — de Klerk and du Plessis are different athletes.

Impact on Springboks squad

• De Klerk remains a first-choice scrum-half for South Africa under coach Rassie Erasmus.
• His continued availability is critical for the 2026 tour, especially if he signs with a European club that may limit his release for Tests.

Who is the 6ft 9 South African rugby player?

Tall rugby players often attract viral attention. Several South African players stand out for their height, but the specific 6ft9 figure appears to be a schoolboy prospect.

Identify the 6ft 9 player

• News reports from 2024 highlighted a South African schoolboy (140 kg, 6ft9) at News24 schools section.
• His identity has not been officially confirmed by SA Rugby or provincial unions.

Other tall Springboks

• Lock forward RG Snyman (Springboks, 6ft9) is a known height benchmark (SA Rugby player profiles).
• Lood de Jager (6ft9) and Eben Etzebeth (6ft8) are similarly tall locks.

Richard Metcalfe as the 7ft player

• Richard Metcalfe, a 7ft lock, played for South Africa in the early 2000s (Wikipedia profile).
• He is the tallest player ever to represent the Springboks.

The catch: the viral 6ft9 schoolboy is still unverified, while established Springboks locks like RG Snyman and Lood de Jager already stand at that height. Richard Metcalfe (7ft) remains the absolute height record holder for South Africa.

Who is the quickest rugby player ever?

Speed records in rugby are less formalised than in track athletics, but a few names appear consistently in discussions.

Top speed records in rugby

• During the 2015 Rugby World Cup, World Rugby tracking data measured Carlin Isles (USA) at 10.2 m/s (approx 36 km/h).
• Among Test players, Seabelo Senatla (South Africa sevens) posted GPS speeds of 37.3 km/h (Sport24 analysis).

Candidates from All Blacks and Springboks

• Bryan Habana (Springboks wing) was widely considered one of the fastest Test players of his era (Rugby World player profile).
• Jonah Lomu (All Blacks wing) is often described as the most explosive, but his top speed was not officially recorded (All Blacks Hall of Fame).

Scientific measurements

• GPS data from Super Rugby and international matches show top speeds around 11 m/s (40 km/h) for players like Beauden Barrett (Super Rugby stats).
• No official single “fastest” title exists; different metrics (top speed, acceleration, sustained sprint) produce different winners.

What this means: the fastest rugby player is a movable title depending on the measuring method. Among All Blacks and Springboks, Habana and Lomu hold the popular crown, but GPS data suggests sevens specialists like Senatla are scientifically faster.

How to buy tickets for All Blacks vs Springboks

Securing tickets requires understanding the official sales channels for each match on the 2026 tour.

• South Africa Tests: tickets sold via Ticketmaster South Africa and SA Rugby’s official ticketing partners.
• Baltimore Test (Sept 12, 2026): tickets are available through Ticketmaster US.
• Provincial matches: likely sold by local unions; check venue websites.
• Hospitality packages are offered by SA Rugby Tours.

The trade-off: buying directly from Ticketmaster or SA Rugby guarantees authenticity but often sells out quickly. Resale platforms carry higher prices and risk. For the Baltimore Test, demand is expected to be high due to the novelty of a rivalry match in the US.

Timeline: All Blacks vs Springboks rivalry

Seven moments that define the 100-year contest.

The paradox: the 1976 tour nearly destroyed the relationship between the two nations, yet 50 years later the rivalry is commercialised as “Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry”.

What’s confirmed, what’s unclear

Voices on the rivalry

“It’s the greatest rivalry in rugby. The history, the fans, the intensity — you can’t compare it to any other fixture.”

John Smit (former Springboks captain)

“The 2026 tour is set to be the biggest edition of the rivalry ever, with matches across South Africa and the United States.”

All Blacks official announcement

For the fan attending their first live test, these quotes capture why the All Blacks vs Springboks still draws sell-out crowds — it’s a clash of cultures, tactics, and generations.

Summary

The 2026 touring format promises to refresh a rivalry that has weathered political isolation, professionalisation, and one-sided dominance. For New Zealand fans, the broadcast choice is flexible but requires a Sky subscription or a streaming pass. For South African fans, SuperSport remains the only reliable window — unless free-to-air negotiations shift before the tour. The player news around Faf de Klerk and the curiosity about tall athletes highlight how off-field stories fuel the hype. For the rugby fan planning their 2026 calendar, the decision is clear: decide on your viewing platform now, because the Baltimore Test will sell out fast, and the four Tests in South Africa will test the patience of any ticket queue.

For a detailed look at last year’s encounters, check out the 2025 All Blacks vs Springboks fixtures and results page.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• Māori All Blacks vs Japan: 2026 Fixture Preview and History
• Samoa vs Tonga 2025 NZ Time – Kick-off Schedules for Kiwis