South Africa and New Zealand to clash at Twickenham in rugby rivalry

South Africa and New Zealand have agreed to renew their rugby rivalry with extended tours every four years, starting in 2026. This agreement includes a historic three-Test series, the first in 30 years, and will feature eight matches in South Africa. The last three-Test series occurred in 1996, where New Zealand won 2-1. The upcoming series is expected to be marketed as 'The Greatest Rugby Rivalry.' In addition to the three-Test series, New Zealand will play four matches against teams from the United Rugby Championship, including the Bulls, Lions, Sharks, and Stormers, along with a match against South Africa A. The fourth Test between the Springboks and All Blacks is likely to take place at Twickenham or in North America. The agreement comes after South Africa's recent victory over New Zealand at Twickenham, where they won 35-7 in a World Cup warm-up match. Representatives from both rugby unions met to finalize plans, and while World Rugby's approval is pending, contracts are being prepared. This collaboration aims to strengthen ties between the two unions, addressing funding challenges in rugby. However, it may impact the Rugby Championship, which includes Argentina and Australia, as South Africa has indicated a willingness to play one-off Test matches against them if necessary. The year 2026 is also significant for Test rugby, potentially marking the start of the Nations Championship.