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Springboks v All Blacks: Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry

Published September 3, 2026

Springboks v All Blacks: Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry

The Springboks and All Blacks is Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry. The two nations have played 112 Tests and produced the fiercest contest in rugby. Here is the full Springboks vs All Blacks record and rivalry history. truewildslot.com


Springboks vs All Blacks: Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.

There is no bigger fixture in rugby than the Springboks against the All Blacks.

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It is rugby’s most loaded rivalry, the one with the deepest history, the greatest tension, and the strongest claim to excellence. Between them, South Africa and New Zealand have set the standard for what Test rugby should look like: hard, clever, physical, unrelenting. They don’t just play for points. They play for hierarchy.

As of the end of the 2025 Rugby Championship meetings, the teams had met 110 times in Test rugby. The All Blacks lead the all-time series with 63 wins, the Springboks have 43, and there have been 4 draws.

That number matters, but it only tells part of the story.

Every era has had its own version of South Africa versus New Zealand. The early tours gave it its edge, but the apartheid years also gave it political charge. Professionalism gave it speed and scale, and the rivalry, in the Rassie Erasmus era, is at its most intense.

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What is the Springboks vs All Blacks record?

The raw record is straightforward enough.

The Springboks and All Blacks have played 112 Tests. New Zealand have won 64, South Africa 44, with 4 draws. That makes New Zealand the only major nation with a positive all-time record against South Africa, which is why every Springbok win over the All Blacks carries outsized value.

The recent trend, however, tells a sharper story.

The Springboks won the most recent Test in Cape Town 33-26, a week after the All Blacks won 33-16 at Ellis Park in Johannesburg in the first two of three Tests in South Africa.

The two teams meet at the FNB Stadium in Soweto on Saturday to complete the South African leg of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry. They meet for a fourth and final time in Baltimore, USA on Saturday the 12th September.

South Africa beat New Zealand twice in 2024 31-27 at Ellis Park and 18-12 in Cape Town to reclaim the Freedom Cup. In 2025, the All Blacks won 24-17 at Eden Park, but the Springboks answered a week later with a seismic 43-10 win in Wellington, a result SA Rugby described as the biggest defeat ever inflicted on the All Blacks.

So while New Zealand still lead the century-long rivalry overall, the modern contest is tighter, nastier and far less predictable than the old numbers suggest. The past fortnight has reinforced this.

The biggest Springbok win over the All Blacks

South Africa’s biggest win, 35-7 at Twickenham a month before the 2023 World Cup, was the Boks benchmark 100-plus years in the making, but within two years that record was broken.

The new high-water mark came in Wellington on 13 September 2025, when the Springboks demolished the All Blacks 43-10. SA Rugby explicitly called it the All Blacks’ biggest defeat ever, and noted that it surpassed the 35-7 margin from London in 2023.

That matters historically and psychologically.

South Africa have always believed they can beat New Zealand. But there is a difference between belief and force. The 43-10 result was force. It was a reminder that when the Springboks got their collision game, bench impact and tactical pressure exactly right, they could break even the All Blacks in New Zealand.

The biggest All Blacks win over the Springboks

New Zealand’s biggest win in the rivalry remains the brutal 57-0 victory in 2017, still South Africa’s heaviest defeat in Test history. SA Rugby itself referred to it in retrospect as a record defeat by New Zealand.

That result remains one of the rivalry’s most important reference points because it sits at the opposite end of the emotional scale from the Springboks’ recent resurgence. It was humiliation then. The modern Bok revival has been built, in part, on making sure that kind of capitulation never happens again.

Why this is rugby’s greatest rivalry

The phrase is not marketing fluff.

South Africa and New Zealand have been the sport’s two most imposing rugby nations across generations. They have the tradition, the depth, the public pressure, the tactical intelligence and the expectation. More than that, each has usually been measured most accurately by how it performs against the other.

SA Rugby itself now brands the fixture as Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, and the 2026 tour has been designed around that idea, with four Tests scheduled between the Springboks and All Blacks, including a Test in Baltimore, USA. That commercial packaging works because it is built on a truth rugby people already understand: no fixture carries more historical weight.

There are bigger sporting events globally, but in rugby, nothing feels more final than Springboks versus All Blacks.

The latest chapter in the rivalry

The latest sequence of matches has added another layer to the story.

In 2024, South Africa beat New Zealand twice in one Rugby Championship campaign, first at Ellis Park and then in Cape Town. The second win secured the Freedom Cup and kept the Springboks unbeaten in that championship stretch.

In 2025, the All Blacks protected Eden Park with a 24-17 win in Auckland, before South Africa hit back with the 43-10statement in Wellington. The official Springbok record published before the Auckland match was 108 played, 42 won, 62 lost, 4 drawn; after Auckland it became 109 played, 42 won, 63 lost, 4 drawn; and after Wellington the all-time tally moved to 110 played, 43 won, 63 lost, 4 drawn. In 2026, after the Johannesburg and Cape Town Tests, it is 112 played, 44 won by the Springboks, 4 drawn and 64 won by the All Blacks.

Springboks vs All Blacks: the verdict

The All Blacks still lead the rivalry on total wins.

But the modern Springboks have changed the feel of the contest. They have beaten New Zealand in World Cup finals, beaten them back-to-back in South Africa, and in 2025 handed them the heaviest defeat in their history in their own country.

That is why the Springboks versus All Blacks fixture remains unmatched. It is not just the best rivalry because of the past. It is the best rivalry because the next chapter still matters.

And in this rivalry, more than any other in rugby, history is never finished.

Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour fixtures 2026

Friday 7 August: DHL Stormers v All Blacks at DHL Stadium, Cape Town. All Blacks won 38-21.

Tuesday 11 August: Hollywoodbets Sharks v All Blacks at Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban. All Blacks won 54-0.

Saturday 15 August: Vodacom Bulls v All Blacks at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria. All Blacks won 50-19.

Saturday 22 August: First Test – Springboks v All Blacks at Ellis Park, Johannesburg. All Blacks won 33-16.

Tuesday 25 August: Lions v New Zealand at Ellis Park, Johannesburg. All Blacks won 41-35.

Saturday 29 August: Second Test – Springboks v New Zealand at DHL Stadium, Cape Town. Springboks won 33-26.

Saturday 5 September: Third Test – Springboks v New Zealand at FNB Stadium, Johannesburg Saturday 12 September:

Saturday 12th September: Fourth Test – Springboks v New Zealand in Baltimore, Maryland

SPRINGBOKS v ALL BLACKS – EVERY TEST RESULT

Date Status Team Score Team Score Venue
13/08/21 Test South Africa 5 New Zealand 13 Dunedin
27/08/21 Test South Africa 9 New Zealand 5 Auckland
17/09/21 Test South Africa 0 New Zealand 0 Wellington
30/06/28 Test South Africa 17 New Zealand 0 Durban
21/07/28 Test South Africa 6 New Zealand 7 Johannesburg
18/08/28 Test South Africa 11 New Zealand 6 Port Elizabeth
01/09/28 Test South Africa 5 New Zealand 13 Newlands
14/08/37 Test South Africa 7 New Zealand 13 Wellington
04/09/37 Test South Africa 13 New Zealand 6 Christchurch
25/09/37 Test South Africa 17 New Zealand 6 Auckland
16/07/49 Test South Africa 15 New Zealand 11 Newlands
13/08/49 Test South Africa 12 New Zealand 6 Johannesburg
03/09/49 Test South Africa 9 New Zealand 3 Durban
17/09/49 Test South Africa 11 New Zealand 8 Port Elizabeth
14/07/56 Test South Africa 6 New Zealand 10 Dunedin
04/08/56 Test South Africa 8 New Zealand 3 Wellington
18/08/56 Test South Africa 10 New Zealand 17 Christchurch
01/09/56 Test South Africa 5 New Zealand 11 Auckland
25/06/60 Test South Africa 13 New Zealand 0 Johannesburg
23/07/60 Test South Africa 3 New Zealand 11 Newlands
13/08/60 Test South Africa 11 New Zealand 11 Bloemfontein
27/08/60 Test South Africa 8 New Zealand 3 Port Elizabeth
31/07/65 Test South Africa 3 New Zealand 6 Wellington
21/08/65 Test South Africa 0 New Zealand 13 Dunedin
04/09/65 Test South Africa 19 New Zealand 16 Christchurch
18/09/65 Test South Africa 3 New Zealand 20 Auckland
25/07/70 Test South Africa 17 New Zealand 6 Pretoria
08/08/70 Test South Africa 8 New Zealand 9 Newlands
29/08/70 Test South Africa 14 New Zealand 3 Port Elizabeth
12/09/70 Test South Africa 20 New Zealand 17 Johannesburg
24/07/76 Test South Africa 16 New Zealand 7 Durban
14/08/76 Test South Africa 9 New Zealand 15 Bloemfontein
04/09/76 Test South Africa 15 New Zealand 10 Newlands
18/09/76 Test South Africa 15 New Zealand 14 Johannesburg
15/08/81 Test South Africa 9 New Zealand 14 Christchurch
29/08/81 Test South Africa 24 New Zealand 12 Wellington
12/09/81 Test South Africa 22 New Zealand 25 Auckland
15/08/92 Test South Africa 24 New Zealand 27 Johannesburg
09/07/94 Test South Africa 14 New Zealand 22 Dunedin
23/07/94 Test South Africa 9 New Zealand 13 Wellington
06/08/94 Test South Africa 18 New Zealand 18 Auckland
24/06/95 RWC South Africa 15 New Zealand 12 Johannesburg
20/07/96 Test South Africa 11 New Zealand 15 Christchurch
10/08/96 Test South Africa 18 New Zealand 29 Cape Town
17/08/96 Test South Africa 19 New Zealand 23 Durban
24/08/96 Test South Africa 26 New Zealand 33 Pretoria
31/08/96 Test South Africa 32 New Zealand 22 Johannesburg
19/07/97 Test South Africa 32 New Zealand 35 Johannesburg
09/08/97 Test South Africa 35 New Zealand 55 Auckland
25/07/98 Test South Africa 13 New Zealand 3 Wellington
15/08/98 Test South Africa 24 New Zealand 23 Durban
10/07/99 Test South Africa 0 New Zealand 28 Dunedin
07/08/99 Test South Africa 18 New Zealand 34 Pretoria
04/11/99 RWC South Africa 22 New Zealand 18 Cardiff
22/07/00 Test South Africa 12 New Zealand 25 Christchurch
19/08/00 Test South Africa 46 New Zealand 40 Johannesburg
21/07/01 Test South Africa 3 New Zealand 12 Cape Town
25/08/01 Test South Africa 15 New Zealand 26 Auckland
20/07/02 Test South Africa 20 New Zealand 41 Wellington
10/08/02 Test South Africa 23 New Zealand 30 Durban
19/07/03 Test South Africa 16 New Zealand 52 Pretoria
09/08/03 Test South Africa 11 New Zealand 19 Dunedin
08/11/03 RWC South Africa 9 New Zealand 29 Melbourne
24/07/04 Test South Africa 21 New Zealand 23 Christchurch
14/08/04 Test South Africa 40 New Zealand 26 Johannesburg
06/08/05 Test South Africa 22 New Zealand 16 Cape Town
27/08/05 Test South Africa 27 New Zealand 31 Dunedin
22/07/06 Test South Africa 17 New Zealand 35 Wellington
26/08/06 Test South Africa 26 New Zealand 45 Pretoria
02/09/06 Test South Africa 21 New Zealand 20 Rustenburg
23/06/07 Test South Africa 21 New Zealand 26 Durban
14/07/07 Test South Africa 6 New Zealand 33 Christchurch
05/07/08 Test South Africa 8 New Zealand 19 Wellington
12/07/08 Test South Africa 30 New Zealand 28 Dunedin
16/08/08 Test South Africa 0 New Zealand 19 Newlands
25/07/09 Test South Africa 28 New Zealand 19 Bloemfontein
01/08/09 Test South Africa 31 New Zealand 19 Durban
12/09/09 Test South Africa 32 New Zealand 29 Hamilton
10/07/10 Test South Africa 12 New Zealand 32 Auckland
17/07/10 Test South Africa 17 New Zealand 31 Wellington
21/08/10 Test South Africa 22 New Zealand 29 Soweto
30/07/11 Test South Africa 7 New Zealand 40 Wellington
20/09/11 Test South Africa 18 New Zealand 5 Port Elizabeth
15/09/12 Test South Africa 11 New Zealand 21 Dunedin
06/10/12 Test South Africa 16 New Zealand 32 Johannesburg
14/09/13 Test South Africa 15 New Zealand 29 Auckland
05/10/13 Test South Africa 27 New Zealand 38 Johannesburg
13/09/14 Test South Africa 10 New Zealand 14 Wellington
04/10/14 Test South Africa 27 New Zealand 25 Johannesburg
25/07/15 Test South Africa 20 New Zealand 27 Johannesburg
24/10/15 Test South Africa 18 New Zealand 20 London
17/09/16 Test South Africa 13 New Zealand 41 Christchurch
08/10/16 Test South Africa 15 New Zealand 57 Durban
16/09/17 Test South Africa 0 New Zealand 57 Albany
07/10/17 Test South Africa 24 New Zealand 25 Cape Town
15/09/18 Test South Africa 36 New Zealand 34 Wellington
06/10/18 Test South Africa 30 New Zealand 32 Pretoria
27/07/19 Test South Africa 16 New Zealand 16 Wellington
21/09/19 RWC South Africa 13 New Zealand 23 Japan
25/09/21 Test South Africa 17 New Zealand 19 Queensland
02/10/21 Test South Africa 31 New Zealand 29 Queensland
06/08/22 Test South Africa 26 New Zealand 10 Mbombela
13/08/22 Test South Africa 23 New Zealand 35 Johannesburg
15/07/23 Test South Africa 20 New Zealand 35 Auckland
25/08/23 Test South Africa 35 New Zealand 7 London
28/10/23 RWC South Africa 12 New Zealand 11 Paris
31/08/24 Test South Africa 31 New Zealand 27 Johannesburg
07/09/24 Test South Africa 18 New Zealand 12 Cape Town
06/09/25 Test South Africa 17 New Zealand 24 Dunedin
13/09/25 Test South Africa 43 New Zealand 10 Wellington
22/08/26 Test South Africa 16 New Zealand 33 Johannesburg
29/08/26 Test South Africa 33 New Zealand 26 Cape Town
Total points 1,834 2,284
Games Played South Africa New Zealand Drawn
Played Won Won Drawn
Overall Record 112 44 64 4
At South African Venues 57 29 26 1
At New Zealand Venues 47 10 33 3
RWC 8 4 4 0
Top Points Scorers
Name Country Points Tries Conversions Penalties Drop Goals
Dan Carter NZ 221 3 25 51 1
Andrew Mehrtens NZ 209 0 19 53 4
Beauden Barrett NZ 174 4 23 36 0
Handre Pollard SA 109 2 18 19 2
Percy Montgomery SA 103 1 16 19 3
Carlos Spencer NZ 84 3 12 15 0
Morne Steyn SA 71 1 3 19 1
Joel Stransky SA 54 0 3 14 2
Christian Cullen NZ 50 10 0 0 0
Naas Botha SA 44 0 7 9 1
Andre Pretorius SA 41 1 6 6 2
Joe Rokococo NZ 45 9 0 0 0
Braam van Straaten SA 40 0 5 10 0
Bryan Habana SA 40 8 0 0 0

*STATS AS PER SARUGBYSTATS

RUGBY’S GREATEST RIVALRY – IT DOES NOT GET BIGGER THAN SPRINGBOKS v ALL BLACKS

ALL BLACKS 10 SPRINGBOKS 43

ALL BLACKS 57 SPRINGBOKS 0

FAQ

What is the Springboks vs All Blacks record?
The All Blacks lead the all-time Test rivalry 64 wins to 44, with 4 draws after 112 matches.

What is the Springboks’ biggest win over the All Blacks?
South Africa’s biggest win over New Zealand is the 43-10 victory in Wellington on 13 September 2025.

What is the All Blacks’ biggest win over the Springboks?
New Zealand’s biggest win over South Africa is 57-0 in 2017.

Why is Springboks vs All Blacks called rugby’s greatest rivalry?
Because it combines more than a century of Test history, elite winning standards, repeated title-deciding matches and consistent relevance at the top of world rugby. SA Rugby now officially uses the term “Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry” for the fixture. The two nations have combined for seven World Cup titles.

Rivalry snapshot

The Springboks and All Blacks had played 112 Tests by the end of August, 2026. New Zealand lead the rivalry 64 wins to South Africa’s 44, with 4 draws. South Africa’s current split is 29 wins, 26 losses and 1 draw at South African venues; 10 wins, 33 losses and 3 draws at New Zealand venues; and 4 wins, 2 losses, 0 draws at Rugby World Cup meetings.

The rivalry began with South Africa’s 1921 tour of New Zealand. That first official Test series finished 1-1 with one draw, the decider ending 0-0 in Wellington. The 1928 All Blacks tour of South Africa finished 2-2. Those two tours established the rivalry’s core pattern: long tours, brutal series, and no easy separation between the teams.

Team records

Most wins in the rivalry: New Zealand 64
Most losses in the rivalry: South Africa 44.
Most draws in the rivalry: 4.

Springboks’ biggest win over the All Blacks: 43-10 in Wellington on 13 September 2025. SA Rugby called it the All Blacks’ biggest defeat ever.

Previous Springbok record win over New Zealand: 35-7 at Twickenham on 25 August 2023. SA Rugby stated that the 28-point margin was then a new South African record against the All Blacks and that it was New Zealand’s heaviest defeat at the time.

All Blacks’ biggest win over the Springboks: 57-0 at Albany on 16 September 2017. SA Rugby’s 2017 annual report described it as the Springboks’ heaviest defeat in history.

Highest score by South Africa against New Zealand: 46, in the 46-40 win at Johannesburg on 19 August 2000. NZ Rugby Stats also credits that match with South Africa’s rivalry high for tries in a Test, at 6.

Highest score by New Zealand against South Africa: 57, in the 57-0 win in 2017.

Highest combined score in a Springboks-All Blacks Test: 86 points, South Africa 46 New Zealand 40, Johannesburg, 19 August 2000.

Highest aggregate scores – Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry

In New Zealand

  • 90 points

  • All Blacks vs Springboks Eden Park Test 1997

  • New Zealand 55–35 South Africa

  • Source: NZ Rugby Stats

In South Africa

  • 86 points

  • Springboks vs All Blacks Ellis Park Test 2000

  • South Africa 46–40 New Zealand

  • Source: NZ Rugby Stats

Neutral venues (Australia / UK / Rugby World Cups in Wales, Australia, England, Japan & France)

  • 60 points

  • Springboks vs All Blacks Gold Coast Test 2021

  • South Africa 31–29 New Zealand

  • Source: NZ Rugby Stats

Lowest-scoring draw: 0-0, Wellington, 1921 series decider.

Most emphatic South African shutout of New Zealand: 17-0 in Durban in 1928, still South Africa’s biggest winning margin in the rivalry according to SA Rugby Stats.

Longest Springbok winning streak: 6 Tests, from the 1937 tour to New Zealand through the 1949 whitewash in South Africa. SA Rugby states the six-match run lasted from 1937 to 1949.

Longest All Blacks winning streak: 8 Tests, from 21 July 2001 through 24 July 2004, based on the full official chronological results list.

Best Springbok run in New Zealand in the professional era: the Boks were unbeaten in three straight Tests at Sky Stadium, winning in 2018, drawing in 2019, and winning 43-10 in 2025.

Eden Park hoodoo: SA Rugby stated before the 2025 Auckland Test that South Africa had not beaten New Zealand at Eden Park since 1937. The All Blacks won there again on 6 September 2025.

Ellis Park edge: Planet Rugby’s venue audit put the rivalry at Ellis Park at 15 Tests, with South Africa winning 9 and New Zealand 6, and South Africa leading points 352-328 there.

Rugby World Cup records

The teams have met 8 times at Rugby World Cups, with 4 wins each. SA Rugby’s 2019 pre-match official numbers had the rivalry at 4 World Cup meetings and 2-2 before Japan; adding South Africa’s wins in the 2023 final and New Zealand’s pool win in 2019 brings the current World Cup ledger to 4-4, which matches the full results list.

World Cup finals between them: 2. South Africa won both: 15-12 after extra time in 1995, and 12-11 in Paris in 2023.

Other World Cup meetings: South Africa won the 1999 bronze final 22-18; New Zealand won the 2003 quarter-final 29-9, the 2015 semi-final 20-18, and the 2019 pool match 23-13.

Freedom Cup records

The Freedom Cup was first contested in 2004. By the end of the 2025 matches, New Zealand had won it 25 times to South Africa’s 14, with one drawn edition in the official Freedom Cup record. South Africa won it in 2024 for the first time since 2009 and retained it in 2025.

Individual scoring records

The cleanest verified rivalry-specific individual table available in the sourced material is the SA Rugby Stats head-to-head page.

Top points scorers in Springboks-All Blacks Tests

  1. Dan Carter 221

  2. Andrew Mehrtens 209

  3. Beauden Barrett 174

  4. Handre Pollard 109

  5. Percy Montgomery 103

  6. Carlos Spencer 84

  7. Morné Steyn 71

  8. Joel Stransky 54

  9. Christian Cullen 50

  10. Naas Botha 44

Top try scorers in the rivalry
Christian Cullen (NZL) 10; Joe Rokocoko (NZL) 9; Bryan Habana (SA) 8. The same table also shows Dan Carter scored 3 tries, Beauden Barrett 4, Handre Pollard 2 and Percy Montgomery 1 as part of their points totals.

Captaincy and streak notes

Siya Kolisi captained South Africa to four consecutive wins over New Zealand across 2023-24 before the Eden Park loss in 2025. SA Rugby’s official build-up to Cape Town 2024 said a fourth straight win would be only the second such Bok sequence in history, after the 1937-49 run; South Africa then won in Cape Town, and Rugby365 described the Boks as having recorded four consecutive victories over the All Blacks.

Tour history: All Blacks to South Africa

1928 first official All Blacks tour of South Africa; Test series drawn 2-2.

1949 Springboks won the series 4-0, one of the defining series results in rugby history. NZHistory says the whitewash plunged New Zealand into despair.

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1960 All Blacks toured South Africa; Springboks won the four-Test series 2-1 with one draw.

1967 planned All Blacks tour cancelled because South Africa refused to accept Māori players.

1970 All Blacks toured after the “honorary whites” compromise; Springboks won the series 3-1.

1976 All Blacks toured South Africa; Springboks won 3-1. The tour triggered major international backlash and helped drive the African-led boycott of the Montreal Olympics.

1985 planned official tour stopped by the New Zealand High Court.

1986 Cavaliers rebel tour, not an official All Blacks tour; South Africa won that unofficial series 3-1.

1992 first official meeting after readmission, one-off Test at Ellis Park, won 27-24 by New Zealand.

1996 the great professional-era watershed. New Zealand won the away Test series 2-1, their first official series win in South Africa. SA Rugby’s 2025 announcement called 1996 New Zealand’s last major tour of South Africa.

2026 officially announced return tour, the first major All Blacks tour of South Africa since 1996, with matches against the franchises and a four-Test Bok series.

Tour history: Springboks to New Zealand

1921 first Springbok tour to New Zealand; series drawn 1-1 with one draw.

1937 Springboks won the series 2-1; SA Rugby Stats notes that side was called “the best team to ever leave New Zealand.”

1956 All Blacks won 3-1, their first series win over South Africa. NZHistory calls it one of the bitterest series ever played.

1965 All Blacks won 3-1.

1973 planned Springbok tour to New Zealand was blocked by Prime Minister Norman Kirk on public-safety grounds.

1981 Springbok tour went ahead despite the Gleneagles climate; New Zealand won the series 2-1. NZHistory records the tour as one of the most divisive episodes in New Zealand history.

1994 first full Bok series in New Zealand after isolation; All Blacks won 2-0 with one draw.

1996 South Africa played a three-Test mid-year series in New Zealand and lost all three.

2030 officially announced as South Africa’s first professional-era tour to New Zealand.

Strong “interesting stats” file

South Africa have won only 10 of 47 Tests at New Zealand venues, which tells you how rare Bok wins in New Zealand really are.

The Springboks’ 36-34 win in Wellington in 2018 was, per SA Rugby, the first time any team had scored 36 points against the All Blacks on New Zealand soil.

The 35-7 win at Twickenham in 2023 was New Zealand’s heaviest defeat until the 43-10 loss in Wellington in 2025 overtook it. SA Rugby stated both records at the time.

South Africa’s 1949 whitewash and New Zealand’s 1956 series win remain two of the rivalry’s great reference points; NZHistory treats both as nation-shaping rugby events.

The rivalry has produced two Rugby World Cup finals and eight World Cup meetings overall. No other fixture in men’s Test rugby carries that combination of depth, volume and silverware history. The record book backs the mythology.

Italian Grand Prix declared heat-hazard race

MILAN, Italy, Sept 3 – The Italian Grand Prix has been declared a heat-hazard race as high temperatures continue in the country following the summer heatwave.

A heat hazard is an official designation for an event where it is forecasted that temperatures will be more than 31C at some point during the race on Sunday.

The ambient temperatures around Monza, north-east of Milan, are expected to be in the mid-30C region all weekend.

They peaked at 36C on Wednesday afternoon near Milan’s Linate airport.

The ruling means drivers can use a system that flows cooled liquid, such as glycol, through a system of pipes in a fireproof top worn under their overalls.

The cooling kit is not mandatory, but any driver who chooses not to use it has to carry 5kg of ballast in their car to ensure they do not have a competitive advantage.

They peaked at 36C on Wednesday afternoon near Milan’s Linate airport.

The ruling means drivers can use a system that flows cooled liquid, such as glycol, through a system of pipes in a fireproof top worn under their overalls.

The cooling kit is not mandatory, but any driver who chooses not to use it has to carry 5kg of ballast in their car to ensure they do not have a competitive advantage.

Italy is the second race this year to be declared a heat hazard. The first was Austria early in the summer heatwave.

Some drivers prefer not to use the cooling kit because of discomfort, and because there have been issues with the coolant running out before a grand prix is finished.

In that case, the liquid ends up at car temperature, which is considerably higher than ambient.

Temperatures in the cockpit of an F1 car can be more than 40C, and drivers are wearing several layers of fireproof clothing in addition to a balaclava and helmet, so overheating is a serious concern.

Nonu forms Sharks centres club

Ma’a Nonu is making his presence felt at the Sharks, with coach JP Pietersen revealing how the All Blacks great has formed a close-knit group with some of Durban’s most promising young backs.

The 103-Test All Blacks centre may be one of the most experienced players in the Sharks squad, but his influence is extending well beyond what he can produce on the field.

TEAM: Sharks pick Boks for Eagles hitout

According to Pietersen, Nonu has quickly become a mentor to a group of young Sharks backs, regularly meeting them to work on skills and discuss rugby in general.

“He’s slotted in perfectly in the group,” Pietersen told the media on Thursday.

“It’s great to have him. I’m obviously mates with him, so it’s good to have him, and he can also give me feedback on my side too. They’ve got a club now. I think they meet every morning at 6:30am in the gym – Ma’a and Jurenzo [Julius], Murray Koster and Litelihle Bester,” Pietersen explained.

“They’re in the gym, they do some skills and passing and just talk about rugby.”

For Pietersen, however, it is Nonu’s knowledge of the game that could prove particularly valuable to the Sharks’ emerging backs.

“He’s been good in that space. He’s helping the young guns a lot about attacking space, understanding space, and the most important thing is about preparation. How do you prepare before you arrive at the stadium? Are you coming with a plan, or if you don’t have a plan?”

ALSO: JP outlines Sharks’ Eagles mission

The Sharks have several exciting young backs in their wider group, and Pietersen hopes exposure to a player of Nonu’s stature can accelerate their development.

“He’s challenging them and being professional. Something that’s still a learning for, I think, most of us. It’s been awesome. He’s been good to them, and I’m just thankful that we’ve got him at this stage of his career,” he said.

“Hopefully, it can rub off onto these young guns so they can become – not just become, but speed up the process of becoming – established rugby players.”

Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images

The post Nonu forms Sharks centres club appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

Bok Women move on without Swys

The Springbok Women have named their team to face the Black Ferns at FNB Stadium on Saturday following Swys de Bruin’s shock decision to step down as head coach.

Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September, who guided the team during successful campaigns in Kenya and Fiji, will continue as co-head coaches.

SA Rugby said no further comment would be made on De Bruin’s departure in the short term to allow the team to focus on Saturday’s historic encounter, the Black Ferns’ first Test on South African soil.

MORE: Swys quits Springbok Women

Prop Babalwa Latsha will captain a Bok Women side featuring several players who faced New Zealand in last year’s World Cup quarter-final in England, which the Black Ferns won 46-17.

Latsha, Sanelisiwe Charlie and Lindelwa Gwala are reunited in the front row, while Vainah Ubisi partners Danelle Locher at lock. Catha Jacobs joins Sizo Solontsi and Aseza Hele in the back row.

Among the backs, Byrhandré Dolf, Zintle Mpupha, Aphiwe Ngwevu, Ayanda Malinga and Libbie Janse van Rensburg retain starting roles from that World Cup encounter.

Unam Tose replaces the injured Nadine Roos at scrumhalf, while Alichia Arries starts on the wing, with Maceala Samboya moving to the bench. Replacement scrumhalf Anacadia Minnaar is also set to face the Black Ferns for the first time.

Saturday’s match will kick off at 1:30pm.

SPRINGBOK WOMEN – 15 Byrhandré Dolf, 14 Alichia Arries, 13 Zintle Mpupha, 12 Aphiwe Ngwevu, 11 Ayanda Malinga, 10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg, 9 Unam Tose, 8 Aseza Hele, 7 Catha Jacobs, 6 Sizophila Solontsi, 5 Danelle Lochner, 4 Vainah Ubisi, 3 Babalwa Latsha (c), 2 Lindelwa Gwala, 1 Sanelisiwe Charlie.
Bench: 16 Anushka Groenewald, 17 Yonela Ngxingolo, 18 Nombuyekezo Mdliki, 19 Nomsa Mokwai, 20 Shiniqwa Lamprecht, 21 Logan Welman, 22 Anacadia Minnaar, 23 Maceala Samboya.

BLACK FERNS – 15 Braxton Sorensen-McGee, 14 Mererangi Paul, 13 Amy Du Plessis, 12 Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt, 11 Ayesha Leti-I’iga, 10 Hannah King, 9 Maia Joseph, 8 Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, 7 Elinor-Plum King, 6 Mia Anderson, 5 Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu, 4 Maiakawanakaulani Roos, 3 Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, 2 Georgia Ponsonby (c), 1 Chryss Viliko.
Bench: 16 Atlanta Lolohea, 17 Maddison Robinson, 18 Santo Taumata, 19 Laura Bayfield, 20 Amarante Sititi, 21 Tara Turner, 22 Ruahei Demant, 23 Justine McGregor.

Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images

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Liverpool : Bradley Barcola pourrait déjà faire ses grands débuts face à Ipswich

Bradley Barcola pourrait ne pas avoir le temps de s’installer tranquillement à Liverpool. À peine arrivé, déjà potentiellement lancé dans le grand bain. Recruté lundi en provenance du Paris Saint-Germain, l’international français est susceptible de connaître ses premières minutes sous le maillot des Reds dès vendredi soir, sur la pelouse d’Ipswich. Une première apparition qui dépendra de sa dernière séance d’entraînement, mais dont Andoni Iraola a déjà laissé entrevoir la possibilité.

Une première très attendue

Le technicien espagnol s’est montré particulièrement optimiste au moment d’évoquer l’état physique de sa nouvelle recrue. Barcola a bien travaillé depuis son arrivée et, si aucun problème ne survient lors de l’ultime entraînement, il pourra être à la disposition du staff pour cette rencontre de Premier League. Une bonne nouvelle pour Liverpool, mais aussi pour le joueur de 24 ans, qui n’a encore disputé aucune minute cette saison.

Son arrivée n’est évidemment pas passée inaperçue. Liverpool a déboursé plus de 140 millions d’euros pour s’attacher les services du Français, faisant de lui la deuxième recrue la plus chère de l’histoire du club, seulement devancé par Alexander Isak. Un investissement qui illustre le statut accordé à Barcola dès son arrivée et les attentes placées sur ses épaules.

Iraola attend beaucoup de sa nouvelle arme

Liverpool cherchait un joueur capable d’apporter immédiatement de la qualité à ce poste et Iraola ne cache pas sa satisfaction. L’entraîneur espagnol apprécie notamment l’état d’esprit affiché par Barcola depuis son arrivée, alors que le Français compte déjà 28 sélections et 6 buts avec les Bleus. Son adaptation devra désormais se traduire sur le terrain.

Si les dernières heures ne viennent pas contrarier les plans du staff, Barcola pourrait donc effectuer ses premiers pas dès vendredi à 21 heures. Une première apparition potentiellement express, mais avec une pression maximale : celle d’un joueur acheté à prix d’or et attendu comme l’un des nouveaux visages offensifs de Liverpool.

The post Liverpool : Bradley Barcola pourrait déjà faire ses grands débuts face à Ipswich appeared first on AfricaFootUnited.

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