1 October 2026
All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has let slip the venues for South Africa’s highly anticipated tour of New Zealand ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Speaking on Newstalk ZB, the veteran strategist inadvertently revealed the scheduling details before New Zealand Rugby could release an official announcement. The Springboks will lock horns with their fiercest rivals in back-to-back clashes on Kiwi soil during an expanded Rugby Championship window.
The blockbuster tour kicks off in Auckland on Saturday, 10 July 2027, where the world champions will face a stern litmus test. The rivalry then shifts south to Christchurch on Saturday, 17 July 2027, breaking an eleven-year execution drought in the city. This second encounter marks the Boks' historic debut at the brand-new One NZ Stadium (Te Kaha).
"The Springboks will be in Auckland for the first Test, and then they head down to Christchurch for the second match," Rennie stated during the broadcast, catching listeners and officials off guard.
The traditional mid-year tournament format receives a massive overhaul for 2027, discarding the usual truncated World Cup schedule for a full home-and-away roster. South Africa's gruelling road to the tournament features two home Tests against Australia, including a historic 100th cap encounter against the Wallabies. A final warm-up fixture against Fiji is locked in for 18 September 2027 in Gosford before the main event begins.
The Springboks officially launch their Webb Ellis Trophy defence on 3 October 2027 against Italy at the Adelaide Oval.
Provisional Springboks 2027 Itinerary
Saturday, 10 July 2027: vs New Zealand at Eden Park, Auckland
Saturday, 17 July 2027: vs New Zealand at One NZ Stadium, Christchurch
Saturday, 31 July 2027: vs Argentina at Venue TBC, South Africa
August 2027 (Date TBC): vs Argentina at Venue TBC, Argentina
August 2027 (Date TBC): vs Australia at Venue TBC, South Africa
August 2027 (Date TBC): vs Australia (100th Test) at Venue TBC, South Africa
Saturday, 18 September 2027: vs Fiji at Industree Group Stadium, Gosford
Sunday, 3 October 2027: vs Italy (RWC Pool B) at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Sunday, 10 October 2027: vs Georgia (RWC Pool B) at Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane
Sunday, 17 October 2027: vs Romania (RWC Pool B) at Perth Stadium, Perth
