South Africa host New Zealand in Johannesburg to open four-test rugby series

A throwback tour format

New Zealand begin their first full-scale tour of South Africa in 30 years on Saturday with the opening test match at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. The four-match series, staged under a reciprocal touring agreement that will send the Springboks to New Zealand in 2030, replaces the traditional Rugby Championship for 2026. Prior to the test series, head coach Dave Rennie's side recorded three victories over South African United Rugby Championship franchises, defeating the Stormers 38-21, the Sharks 54-0, and the Bulls 50-19. Following Saturday's opener, the tour will include a midweek fixture against the Lions and two subsequent tests in Cape Town and Johannesburg, before concluding on 12 September in Baltimore in the United States.

Tactical tension and referee focus

Pre-match preparations have featured public exchanges between both coaching staffs regarding playing styles and breakdown officiating. Dave Rennie and assistant coach Tana Umaga selected loose forwards Peter Lakai and Anton Segner on the bench to maintain an 80-minute running tempo. South African assistant coach Felix Jones detailed footage of New Zealand ruck entries, arguing that the tourists committed safety infractions by tucking shoulders and lifting legs. South African director of rugby Rassie Erasmus and adviser Jaco Peyper rejected suggestions that the Springboks intentionally slow down play, placing referee Matt Carley at the centre of the tactical contest. Springbok captain Pieter-Steph du Toit noted that set-piece execution will decide their ability to control the match.

We know New Zealand are going to bring it with intensity. We really believe the line outs and the scrum are going to be something where we're going to have to perform well.

Captaincy and team news

Both squads enter the contest with changes to their starting leadership and rotation. Du Toit retains the South African captaincy in place of Siya Kolisi, who was omitted from the opening test squad after missing matches against England, Scotland, and Wales in July through injury. For New Zealand, loose forward Ardie Savea makes his first appearance of the tour after being rested during the provincial warm-up matches following tests against France, Italy, and Ireland. The 32-year-old forward holds 109 test caps and will lead the touring side on Saturday.

The stakes are high and there's a lot of hype and edge around the game but, for me, I think that brings the best out of all players.

Historical rivalry and stakes

Saturday's match continues a 105-year rivalry that began in 1921, when South Africa first travelled to New Zealand by steamship. The two nations enter the fixture holding the top two spots in the world rankings, having won seven of the ten Rugby World Cups contested to date. South Africa enter the series with 12 consecutive test victories and five wins in their last six encounters against New Zealand, following their one-point victory in the 2023 World Cup final. Across 110 previous test matches between the sides, New Zealand hold 63 victories compared to 43 for South Africa, with four fixtures ending in a draw.