Can the first Springboks v All Blacks test live up to the billing of the biggest rivalry?
Watch South Africa vs. New Zealand as the two top-ranked sides in the men’s game get their eagerly-anticipated kick off Rugby’s biggest rival Test series in Johannesburg.
Both sides enter the match in excellent form, having a 100% record in their ranks Nations Championship campaigns. Now the head coaches Race Erasmus and Dave Rennie both will be looking to prove they are the best of the best in an epic four-Test series – the first between the two sides since 1996.
Saturday’s anticipated clash kicks off at 4.10pm BST / 5.10pm SAST / 3.10am (Sunday) NZST, and you can watch the Springboks vs All Blacks live stream for free in the US, in addition to many other viewing options around the world. We’ll tell you everything you need to know to get involved below – including details on how you can use a VPN watch the game from anywhere. Scroll to the bottom of the page for a match preview and team lineups.
Springboks v All Blacks First Test: at a glance
– Date of first Test South Africa – New Zealand: Saturday 22 August 2026
– Start time of first test South Africa – New Zealand: 16.10 BST / 17.10 SAST (local) / 3.10 NZST (Sunday) / 1.10am AEST (Sunday) / 5.10pm CET / 11.10am EDT / 8.10am PDT
– South Africa – New Zealand first test site: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
– South Africa – New Zealand First Test Free Stream: RugbyPass TV (USA)
– Watch from anywhere: Try it NordVPN 100% risk free
How to watch South Africa v New Zealand in USA – First Test live stream
It’s a good weekend to be a rugby fan in the USA as you can watch the best two sides on the planet in action for FREE on World Rugby’s RugbyPass TV. It’s free to use, but you’ll need to register before you can watch your Springboks v All Blacks live stream.
It starts this morning at 11:10am EDT / 8:10am PDT.
If you are away from home this weekend, a VPN can help you watch your usual South Africa – New Zealand live stream as if you were back at home. Find out more below…
Watch Springboks v All Blacks from anywhere
Feel like you picked the wrong Saturday to go on vacation? There’s no need to miss out on one of the rugby events of the year, because – even if you’re in a completely different country – you can still watch your usual South Africa – New Zealand live streams from anywhere. A VPN (Virtual Private Network) allows you to change your IP address, meaning you can bypass geoblocking restrictions and watch Greatest Rivalry action as if you were sitting at home on your sofa.
Technological experts in TechRadar and Tom’s guide both rate NordVPN as the best on the planet, thanks to its superior ability to unblock streaming services and security features.
South Africa – New Zealand live stream in UK and Ireland
Sky Sports‘ the new deal with SANZAAR runs until 2030 and gives it the right to show all matches of rugby’s biggest rivalry.
The first Test kicks off this afternoon at 16:10 BST and is available on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports+.
There are many ways Sky Sports subscribers can watch All Blacks v Springboks live, including the Sky Go app for desktop, iOS, Android, PlayStation and Xbox. You can view the latest Sky Sports subscription offer at Sky website – prices currently start from £22 per month.
Watch Springboks vs All Blacks in South Africa
As is usually the case with elite rugby, SuperSport has the rights to this massive Springboks game. South Africa – New Zealand kicks off at 5.10pm local time.
You can get SuperSport on your TV via DStv or you can stream it online. There are various SuperSport packages available, so see what works best for you.
Stream Springboks v All Blacks in New Zealand
Sky Sports NZ has the New Zealand rights to the Greatest Rivalry tour, along with plenty more world-class sporting action, including the start of the new Premier League football season.
You can subscribe to Sky Sports Now from $59.99 per month or $549.99 per year (equivalent to $45.83 per month). Day passes are also available for $29.99.
South Africa vs New Zealand kicks off at 3.10am NZT on Sunday, so prepare for a late night or even early morning.
Every game of Greatest Rivalry will also be available for free on delay through Three and the ThreeNow streaming service, although you’ll have to wait until 11am NZST (Sunday) to relive this First Test.
Other ways to watch South Africa vs New Zealand around the world
Australia: The Wallabies will play both of these sides after the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour ends, with fans in Australia having to head to Apartment Sport for Springboks v All Blacks Live Streams. A Stan Sport subscription costs $20 per month in addition to the standard Stan plan (which starts at $9.99 per month). Kick-off is 1.10am EST on Sunday morning.
Canada: Premier Sports is the place to go if you want to watch South Africa vs New Zealand live streaming in Canada. A monthly pass costs CA$29.99, although you can save big with a six-month pass (CA$79.99) or an annual subscription ($139.99). It starts this morning at 11:10am EDT / 8:10am PDT.
Springboks v All Blacks match preview
Even without that self-proclaimed, slightly over-the-top “Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry” billing, this game wouldn’t need any further rejuvenation. The two best sides in world rugby have not played a full Test series in South Africa since the All Blacks triumphed against the then world champions in 1996. This four-Test saga therefore has the potential to be the biggest thing in rugby between now and next year World Cup in Australia.
Rassie Erasmus’ player pool is so packed with resources that it’s hard to know which is his first choice side. Today’s lineup is pretty close, however, as the head coach looks to extend his 12-game winning streak. The talismanic skipper He is Kolisi he is still out due to injuries, but in other places there is something to fear for the guests.
Any bundle that contains experience Ox Nché, Malcolm MarxWilco Lowe, Eben Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph du Toit (which captains in Kolisi’s absence) will be the stuff of opposition nightmares, while the back line includes Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will give the defense plenty to think about.
Meanwhile, the All Blacks have comfortably won their tour matches against the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls, but know that facing the Springboks will require them to take their game to another level. After experimenting with his squad against the URC teams – and giving his younger players some much-needed rugby experience in South Africa – Dave Rennie pulled out the big guns for his first game against the Springboks.
Three of its biggest stars are making their first appearance on the Greatest Rivalry tour, with the All Blacks’ record goalscorer Will Jordan back on the wing, Cam Roigard selected at half-time, and captain Ardie Savea chosen at number eight. Ruben Love continues halfway, behind the pack who knows he’s in for a very tough day at the office.
Teams and Officials South Africa vs New Zealand
South Africa
Damian Willemse, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Grant Williams; Ox Nché, Malcolm Marx, Wilco Louw, Eben Etzebeth, Ruan Nortje, Paul de Villiers, Pieter-Steph du Toit (captain), Jasper Wiese
Replacements:
Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Gerhard Steenekamp, Zachary Porthen, Cobus Wiese, Andre Esterhuizen, Marco van Staden, Cobus Reinach, Manie Libbok
New Zealand
Damian McKenzie, Will Jordan, Quinn Tupaea, Jordie Barrett, Josh Moorby, Ruben Love, Cam Roigard, Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor, Tyrel Lomax, Josh Lord, Fabian Holland, Tupou Vaa’i, Luke Jacobson, Ardie Savea (captain)
Replacements:
Asafo Aumua, George Bower, Fletcher Newell, Anton Segner, Peter Lakai, Kyle Preston, Anton Lienert-Brown, Leroy Carter
England’s Matthew Carley has the honor of refereeing the first Test of rugby’s biggest rivalry, assisted by Karl Dickson (also England) and Nika Amashukeli (Georgia). Mike Adamson (Scotland) is in the TMO booth.
Download the digital edition of the rugby world directly to your tablet or subscribe to the print edition to have the magazine delivered to your door.
Follow Rugby World on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter/X.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational use. for example:
1. Access to the service from another country (in accordance with the terms and conditions of that service).
2. Protecting your online security and enhancing your online privacy when abroad.
We do not support or condone illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Future Publishing does not endorse or condone the consumption of pirated paid content.
