Springboks unveil epic cinematic teaser for All Blacks’ South Africa tour
The SA Rugby Union has released a cinematic teaser titled ‘Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry’ to excite fans for the 2026 All Blacks tour to South Africa, replacing the Rugby Championship to accommodate the new Nations Championship. Picture: AFP
Image: AFP
Alongside the news on Thursday that the Springboks will host the All Blacks in three Test matches in South Africa in 2026, the SA Rugby Union (Saru) has produced an awe-inspiring, cinematic video to stir up excitement for local and international rugby fans.
Titled ‘Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry’, it will be in place of the Rugby Championship next year. This is chiefly to make space in the calendar for the new World Rugby's new Nations Championship in July and November.
It was indeed a well-thought-out move to produce a video of this nature which plays on the rivalry theme, as many in the public will be wondering what happened to the Rugby Championship.
The four-nation tournament contested between South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Argentina will fall away for just next year, but will be back for a full traditional fixture list in 2027 despite it being a Rugby World Cup year.
All Blacks Tour Schedule and Future Rugby Championship Plans
The All Blacks will also play four warm-up matches against SA sides during their tour. The tour will run from August 7 to September 12. Normally in World Cup years, the Rugby Championship is shortened, but that will not be the case, bizarrely.
It has also been confirmed that there will be no Rugby Championship in 2030. “Looking ahead, our joint venture is committed to driving the next chapter of Southern Hemisphere rugby,” Sanzaar CEO Brendan Morris said in a statement on Thursday.
“After listening to what supporters, broadcasters and our stakeholders want, we’ve worked with the unions to craft a bold and dynamic schedule.”