New Zealand’s All Blacks are touring South Africa for a four-Test series against the Springboks - the first major New Zealand tour of the country in thirty years. The series spans August and September 2026, with matches in Cape Town, Johannesburg, and other venues, drawing an estimated 3,000 New Zealand fans who have made the journey across the world to watch their team play.
The Test Venues
The series takes in three of South Africa’s biggest stadiums. DHL Stadium in Cape Town - the rebuilt home of Western Province rugby - hosts the opening Test. Ellis Park in Johannesburg, long one of the most atmospheric rugby venues on the planet, takes the second. FNB Stadium, the 94,000-seat venue that hosted the 2010 World Cup final, provides the setting for the third Test.
Cape Town, in particular, has seen a significant influx of travelling fans. Hotels near the waterfront and in the City Bowl have reported high occupancy for Test weekends, and the local hospitality industry has welcomed the spending boost the tour brings.
Why This Series Matters
The rivalry between the Springboks and All Blacks is the oldest in international rugby. Both teams have won the World Cup multiple times, and fixtures between them tend to sell out months in advance regardless of venue. A home series for the Springboks - particularly one spread across multiple South African cities - is a rare event in the modern era, when both teams’ schedules are dominated by European travel.
For New Zealand fans who have made the trip, it is a chance to see their team play in one of rugby’s most demanding environments. South Africa’s altitude, most pronounced at Johannesburg’s 1,700-metre elevation, is a legitimate factor in Test matches here.
Planning Around the Tour
If you are visiting South Africa during the series, expect heightened demand for accommodation near match venues on Test weekends. Tickets for the remaining fixtures are available through the SA Rugby website. Hotels and guesthouses in Cape Town’s city centre and the Waterfront neighbourhood are well-positioned for DHL Stadium access.
The tour also coincides with South Africa’s shoulder season, when daytime temperatures are mild and the Western Cape is coming out of winter. It is a comfortable time to be in the country beyond the rugby itself.
For visitors combining the tour with wider travel, the routes connecting Cape Town, the Garden Route, and Johannesburg are straightforward. Both Cape Town and Johannesburg are well served by international flights, and domestic connections between the two cities run frequently throughout the day.
Explore our guide to South Africa tours for ideas on what to do between Test matches, or browse our Cape Town destination guide for accommodation and activity options in the city hosting the opening Test. Book tours and activities across South Africa to make the most of your time between matches.