There is plenty of excitement and expectation following the confirmation of New Zealand’s tour to South Africa in 2026 and the continuation of rugby union’s ‘Greatest Rivalry’ by virtue of a Test series.

Matches between these two giants of the game are usually closely contested and thrilling affairs, and these countries have faced off against each other for more than a hundred years.

The All Blacks and Springboks have been battling it out at international level since 1921, with the first official Test between them taking place in Dunedin.

Since then, the arch rivals have faced each other in 12 series, with New Zealand and South Africa hosting six of those apiece.

Over the years, the respective nations have won five series each and, interestingly, the first two series – in 1921, in New Zealand, and 1928, in South Africa – ended as draws.

The Springboks clinched their only series victory on New Zealand soil in 1937, while the All Blacks had to wait until 1996 to claim that momentous achievement in South Africa.

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Overall, the All Blacks and Boks have faced each other in 110 Tests between 1921 and 2025, with New Zealand winning 63, South Africa 43 and there have been four draws between the sides.

However, in the 12 previous series between the nations from 1921 to 1996, the Boks have won 21 Tests, the All Blacks 19, while three of those encounters were drawn.

Aggregate scoreline over the Tests:

Aggregate Score: Springboks 458-384 All Blacks

Aggregate Score: Springboks 458-384 All Blacks

Results during the previous All Blacks and Springboks series

1921 in New Zealand, the series ended in a 1-1 draw

First Test in Dunedin: All Blacks 13-5 Springboks
Second Test in Auckland: All Blacks 5-9 Springboks
Third Test in Wellington: All Blacks 0-0 Springboks

1928 in South Africa, the series ended in a 2-2 draw

First Test in Durban: Springboks 17-0 All Blacks
Second Test in Johannesburg: Springboks 6-7 All Blacks
Third Test in Port Elizabeth: Springboks 11-6 All Blacks
Fourth Test in Cape Town: Springboks 5-13 All Blacks

1937 in New Zealand, the Springboks won the series 2-1

First Test in Wellington: All Blacks 13-7 Springboks
Second Test in Christchurch: All Blacks 6-13 Springboks
Third Test in Auckland: All Blacks 6-17 Springboks

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1949 in South Africa, the Springboks won the series 4-0

First Test in Cape Town: Springboks 15-11 All Blacks
Second Test in Johannesburg: Springboks 12-6 All Blacks
Third Test in Durban: Springboks 9-3 All Blacks
Fourth Test in Port Elizabeth: Springboks 11-8 All Blacks

1956 in New Zealand, the All Blacks won the series 3-1

First Test in Dunedin: All Blacks 10-6 Springboks
Second Test in Wellington: All Blacks 3-8 Springboks
Third Test in Christchurch: All Blacks 17-10 Springboks
Fourth Test in Auckland: All Blacks 11-5 Springboks

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1960 in South Africa, the Springboks won the series 2-1

First Test in Johannesburg: Springboks 13-0 All Blacks
Second Test in Cape Town: Springboks 3-11 All Blacks
Third Test in Bloemfontein: Springboks 11-11 All Blacks
Fourth Test in Port Elizabeth: Springboks 8-3 All Blacks

1965 in New Zealand, the All Blacks won the series 3-1

First Test in Wellington: All Blacks 6-3 Springboks
Second Test in Dunedin: All Blacks 13-0 Springboks
Third Test in Christchurch: All Blacks 16-19 Springboks
Fourth Test in Auckland: All Blacks 20-3 Springboks

1970 in South Africa, the Springboks won the series 3-1

First Test in Pretoria: Springboks 17-6 All Blacks
Second Test in Cape Town: Springboks 8-9 All Blacks
Third Test in Port Elizabeth: Springboks 14-3 All Blacks
Fourth Test in Johannesburg: Springboks 20-17 All Blacks

1976 in South Africa, the Springboks won the series 3-1

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First Test in Durban: Springboks 16-7 All Blacks
Second Test in Bloemfontein: Springboks 9-15 All Blacks
Third Test in Cape Town: Springboks 15-10 All Blacks
Fourth Test in Johannesburg: Springboks 15-14 All Blacks

1981 in New Zealand, the All Blacks won the series 2-1

First Test in Christchurch: All Blacks 14-9 Springboks
Second Test in Wellington: All Blacks 12-24 Springboks
Third Test in Auckland: All Blacks 25-22 Springboks

1994 in New Zealand, the All Blacks won the series 2-0

First Test in Dunedin: All Blacks 22-14 Springboks
Second Test in Wellington: All Blacks 13-9 Springboks
Third Test in Auckland: All Blacks 18-18 Springboks

1996 in South Africa, the All Blacks won the series 2-1

First Test in Durban: Springboks 19-23 All Blacks
Second Test in Pretoria: Springboks 26-33 All Blacks
Third Test in Johannesburg: Springboks 32-22 All Blacks

OVERALL RESULTS

All Blacks v Springboks Results

READ MORE: Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry: Details of All Blacks’ eight-game tour of South Africa confirmed