WHAT TO EXPECT

The most loved by South Africans Springboks face the All Blacks at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday, 22 August 2026. Kick-off is at 17:10 SAST. It’s the first Test of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, a new four-Test series between the two teams.

Springboks vs All Blacks: When will the team be announced?

Coach Rassie Erasmus will only name his starting team on Thursday, 20 August — later than his usual pattern this year of naming the team on a Monday or Tuesday. Erasmus said the delay is deliberate, to limit the All Blacks’ preparation time — a mark of respect for New Zealand, he said, not arrogance.

Kolisi and Nche fitness update

Captain Siya Kolisi (hamstring) and prop Ox Nche (knee) are the only two players Erasmus has flagged as doubtful for Saturday. Erasmus described their issues as niggles rather than injuries, and said both could still play if they get through this week’s training.

If Kolisi isn’t available, Pieter-Steph du Toit is reported to be the likely stand-in captain. This hasn’t been confirmed by Erasmus — it’s early reporting from a single source, so treat it as speculation until Thursday’s announcement.

How the All Blacks have been playing

Before this Test, the All Blacks played three provincial matches in South Africa, winning all three by big margins:

  • Beat the Stormers 38-21 (7 August)


  • Beat the Sharks 54-0 (11 August)


  • Beat the Bulls 50-19 (15 August)

The bigger picture

This tour replaces the usual Rugby Championship for 2026. It’s the first time the All Blacks have toured South Africa for a full series in around 30 years. After Ellis Park, the teams meet three more times: at DHL Stadium in Cape Town (29 August), FNB Stadium in Johannesburg (5 September), and in Baltimore, USA (12 September). The Springboks will tour New Zealand in return in 2030.

Tickets for the main Test venues, including Ellis Park, are reported sold out.

What we don’t know yet

The final Springboks team, the starting captain, and whether Kolisi and Nche will be fit are all still unknown. That will only be confirmed on Thursday, 20 August.

Sources

  • Reuters — “Springboks wait on Kolisi, Nche fitness ahead of first All Blacks test” — Read more


  • Planet Rugby — “When Rassie Erasmus will name his Springboks team” — Read more


  • All Blacks official — Match report vs Vodacom Bulls — Read more


  • Wikipedia — 2026 New Zealand rugby union tour of South Africa — Read more