The Springboks have firmly established themselves as a dominant force in rugby, with their triumph over the All Blacks in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final making them the most successful nation in World Cup history. Just a few months later, Rassie Erasmus’ team further solidified their position by edging out New Zealand in The Rugby Championship. They finished eight points ahead of the All Blacks, having defeated their southern hemisphere rivals twice in the competition.
This growing rivalry between the Springboks and the All Blacks has become one of the most eagerly anticipated match-ups in world rugby, drawing attention from fans across the globe. With both teams now at the top of their game, the question on everyone’s lips is: when will they meet again?
The Springboks are set to travel to New Zealand for back-to-back tests against the three-time World Cup champions. The matches are scheduled for:
- September 6 – Auckland
- September 13 – Wellington
Meanwhile, off the field, the ongoing debate over SA Rugby’s equity deal continues to stir controversy and division. Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie has voiced his concerns, noting that the deal has taken some of the shine off the Springboks’ on-field successes.
“This deal has caused unnecessary fighting, division, and strife among South Africans,” McKenzie said. “I think the time has come for us to move on from it. SA Rugby needs to explore other revenue sources and put an end to this issue once and for all.”
McKenzie also expressed confidence in the leadership of SA Rugby to find alternative solutions. “I’ve seen another proposal from the Rupert group, and I believe it’s a better option than the ASG proposal. I don’t think the Rupert group would present a proposal to SA Rugby unless it was serious. They must have already shared it with SA Rugby, but I’ve seen it with my own eyes.”
“These are respected businesspeople who have connections to SA Rugby, so it’s clear they’ve already made their case to them. Now, the focus must be on unity. It’s time for the unions to come together and have honest discussions, as not even they are talking to each other right now.”