Overview
- New Zealand Rugby and SA Rugby confirmed the women’s Test will open the September 5 programme at Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium before the third All Blacks–Springboks match in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry 2026.
- It will be the teams’ first clash on South African soil and only their third overall, following World Cup meetings in 2010 and 2025.
- The most recent encounter was a 2025 World Cup quarter-final won 46–17 by New Zealand after a 10–10 halftime, underscoring growing competitiveness.
- NZR chief executive Mark Robinson called the addition a major boost to the tour, offering fans a rare chance to see rivalry across four national teams in one event.
- SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer and coach Swys de Bruin framed the fixture as validation of South Africa’s momentum, with local reports suggesting a potential sell-out at the 90,000-plus venue.