Following an intensive review by New Zealand Rugby over the state of the All Blacks, it was confirmed on Thursday that coach Scott Robertson has been fired just six months away from a massive tour to South Africa, and less than two years’ away from the 2027 World Cup.
“The mid-point in the Rugby World Cup cycle is the right time to look at the All Blacks’ progress over the first two seasons,” New Zealand Rugby (NZR) Chair David Kirk stated. “The team are set to play a significant 2026 schedule and the tournament in 2027 remains the key goal.”
While those sorts of quotes have clearly been put together by someone from the PR and Media department, there is no doubt that it will be a massive challenge for the All Blacks to settle straight into the system of a new coach before the start of the upcoming tour to South Africa.
All Blacks and Springboks set to clash in four Tests
In the tour’s maiden year, South Africa will host New Zealand in August and September 2026. The All Blacks kick off the tour against the Stormers in Cape Town on Friday, 7 August and then take on the Sharks, Bulls and Lions, to complement a four Test series against the Springboks.
Ellis Park (Johannesburg), DHL Stadium (Cape Town), and FNB Stadium (Johannesburg) are confirmed as South African Test venues, preceding a landmark fourth Test hosted at a neutral international venue. Details of the fourth Test will be confirmed in the coming months.
Despite the instability facing the All Blacks as Robertson suddenly leaves the top job, Kirk insisted they could compete with the No 1-ranked Springboks.
“Credit is absolutely due to Scott Robertson. He has put together a group of high-quality players and introduced a number of younger players to Test match rugby and given them plenty of game time,” Kirk told reporters in Auckland.
“I don’t doubt that we’ve got the players to beat South Africa in South Africa and to win the World Cup in 2027.”
Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour fixtures 2026:
Friday 7 August: DHL Stormers v New Zealand at DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Tuesday 11 August: Hollywoodbets Sharks v New Zealand at Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
Saturday 15 August: Vodacom Bulls v New Zealand at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Saturday 22 August: First Test – South Africa v New Zealand at Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Tuesday 25 August: Lions v New Zealand at Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Saturday 29 August: Second Test – South Africa v New Zealand at DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Saturday 5 September: Third Test – South Africa v New Zealand at FNB Stadium, Johannesburg
Saturday 12 September: Fourth Test – South Africa v New Zealand (venue to be announced)
