Winners<\/p>\n
Gauteng<\/p>\n
The Vaalies are quite simply the biggest winners as the City of Gold will not only host two of the Tests between the Springboks<\/a> and All Blacks<\/a>, the first at Ellis Park and the third at FNB Stadium, but will also be treated to two midweek fixtures with New Zealand playing both sides of the Juskei river against the Lions and Bulls \u2013 more than half the fixtures on South African soil.<\/p>\n One wouldn\u2019t put it past many of those in the north flying down for the two matches on the coast either and doing so later in August for the second Test.<\/p>\n It\u2019s certainly understandable the organisers\u2019 train of thought as a game at the iconic Ellis Park is a must, given the history of the two sides at the venue, despite the ever-declining surrounding areas. Plus the return to FNB Stadium, South Africa\u2019s biggest stadia, that hasn\u2019t hosted a Bok Test match since 2013.<\/p>\n Hopefully, the bigger ground results in somewhat more affordable ticketing prices, but we highly doubt that, considering how the prices skyrocketed in 2025 for the matches against the Wallabies and Los Pumas.<\/p>\n Rugby\u2019s Greatest Rivalry: Details of All Blacks\u2019 eight-game tour of South Africa confirmed<\/a> <\/p>\n URC teams<\/p>\n Not since 1996 have the All Blacks faced off against South African provincial or franchise teams, but that will change with the return of traditional tours.<\/p>\n The Sean Fitzpatrick-captained side played the likes of Boland, Eastern Province, Western Transvaal and Griqualand West back then, but this time around will face the Stormers, Sharks, Bulls, and Lions, respectively.<\/p>\n While it\u2019s a unique challenge for the New Zealanders, but much like a British and Irish Lions tour, it provides the opportunity for many local players to tackle an international team, many of whom won\u2019t ever get that chance again.<\/p>\n For many South Africans, facing the All Blacks is the ultimate goal, but only a select few are afforded the opportunity to do so in the Springboks\u2019 Green and Gold jersey. With the SA teams leaving Super Rugby, many of the players will be facing a Kiwi outfit for the first time.<\/p>\n SA and NZ Rugby<\/p>\n Two things can be true at once. The return of traditional tours can be a nod to the storied history of the rivalry and a money-making ploy. To their credit, SA Rugby and NZ Rugby haven\u2019t hidden from the fact that the latter is just as important as the former for both unions, particularly after South Africa missed out on the financial windfall of the British and Irish Lions tour four years ago.<\/p>\n The fans<\/p>\n At least this time, the unions are still benefiting as much as the fans, delivering a product that the public can get excited about. Sure, the ticket prices are bound to be eye-watering, but it is for a unique occasion.<\/p>\n Sporting bodies are certainly guilty of exploiting the fans, but this does feel more like a fair trade-off.<\/p>\n This fixture list is definitely one that fans and players alike can get excited about.<\/p>\n Losers<\/p>\n Durban<\/p>\n The owners of holiday properties aside, the Durbanites will certainly feel hard done by, with none of the three Tests taking place on the East Coast.<\/p>\n Sure, the locals will be pleased that they could see the All Blacks in action at Kings Park for the first time since 2016 \u2013 when the New Zealanders thrashed the Boks 15-57 \u2013 but if this tour follows the same template as Lions tours, the Sharks are bound to face the men in black without their Springboks who are likely to be with the national squad.<\/p>\n As mentioned above, it\u2019s clear that this is a money-making ploy and there is simply more cash to be made in Jo\u2019burg, Soweto and Cape Town.<\/p>\n Eben Etzebeth slams Springboks teammates\u2019 actions in record All Blacks loss that \u2018silenced\u2019 fans<\/a><\/p>\n Argentina and Australia<\/p>\n It\u2019s still to be confirmed what exactly the Wallabies and Los Pumas will be up to during the international window when the All Blacks are touring South Africa, but surely one nation will tour the other.<\/p>\n![\"Springboks](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Springboks-v-All-Blacks-Greatest-Rivalry-fixtures-1-1024x576.jpg\")
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