# Springboks win Greatest Rivalry series 3-1 > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/all-blacks-south-africa-tour-2026 > Updated: 2026-09-15T12:24:18.000Z. Sources: 113. Developments: 28. The South Africa Springboks have secured a 3-1 series victory over the New Zealand All Blacks, winning the inaugural ‘Greatest Rivalry’ trophy. The deciding fourth Test took place at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, USA, before a record crowd of over 68,000. While the first half remained competitive with South Africa leading 17-14, the Springboks dominated the second half to win 43-28. Tries for South Africa were scored by Damian de Allende, Morne van den Berg, Malcolm Marx, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Kurt-Lee Arendse, and Cameron Hanekom. New Zealand responded with tries from Codie Taylor, Will Jordan, Ethan Blackadder, and Beauden Barrett. The Springboks' physical dominance at the breakdown and setpieces proved decisive in the final stages. Following the victory, South Africa reached a record high in the World Rugby rankings, with a projected score of 95.09 points, surpassing their previous peaks during the 2007, 2019, and 2023 World Cup winning campaigns. This win extends their lead over the All Blacks to 3.95 points. In the aftermath of the series, Springbok players Steven Kitshoff and Trevor Nyakane selected a combined team featuring nine Springboks and six All Blacks. Malcolm Marx was the sole former World Rugby Player of the Year included in the selection, while others such as Ardie Savea, Pieter-Steph du Toit, and Beauden Barrett were omitted. Former All Blacks assistant coach John Plumtree suggested New Zealand may need to recruit larger players to match South African physicality, noting that the All Blacks appeared passive and struggled to halt the momentum of South African runners like Jasper Wiese, Eben Etzebeth, and Malcolm Marx. ## Claims - The Argentina Test will be played in Buenos Aires at 21:00 UK time on 8 August. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Rassie Erasmus named a 26‑man Springboks squad for the test against Argentina on 8 August. (corroborated by 6 sources) - The squad includes returning players Siya Kolisi, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth and Morne van den Berg. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Cheslin Kolbe, Damian Willemse, Jesse Kriel and Ruan Nortje will stay in South Africa to manage workload ahead of the New Zealand series. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The Argentina test is intended as preparation for the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour against New Zealand. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The All Blacks defeated the Stormers 38-21 in Cape Town. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The squad will travel to Argentina in two groups on Saturday 8 August. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Erasmus said the selection balances giving game time to returning injured players and protecting those who have logged heavy minutes this season. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The test will be broadcast live on SuperSport. (corroborated by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-15: Springboks defeat All Blacks 3-1 in rugby series South Africa's Springboks defeated the All Blacks 3-1 in a rugby series, prompting discussions regarding New Zealand's need for greater physical size to compete with South African dominance. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/springboks-defeat-all-blacks-3-1-in-rugby-series ### 2026-09-13: South Africa wins rugby series 3-1 against New Zealand in Baltimore South Africa's Springboks defeated New Zealand's All Blacks 43-28 in Baltimore to win the ‘Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry’ series 3-1, reclaiming the top spot in the world rankings. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-africa-springboks-defeat-new-zealand-to-win-series-and-set-ranking-record ### 2026-09-11: South Africa Springboks defeat All Blacks 43-28 to win series South Africa's Springboks defeated New Zealand's All Blacks 43-28 in Baltimore to win the rugby series 3-1, securing a decisive victory in front of a record US crowd. 24 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/springboks-lead-all-blacks-2-1-ahead-of-final-rugby-test ### 2026-09-09: All Blacks focus on discipline and roster changes after loss to South Africa Following a narrow loss to South Africa, the All Blacks are addressing disciplinary issues and set-piece vulnerabilities ahead of their series finale in Baltimore, with captain Ardie Savea ruled out. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/all-blacks-focus-on-discipline-and-roster-changes-after-loss-to-south-africa ### 2026-09-08: Springboks and All Blacks face series decider in Baltimore The Springboks aim to clinch the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series against the All Blacks this Saturday in Baltimore, holding a 2-1 lead in the four-Test series. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/springboks-seek-series-victory-against-all-blacks-in-baltimore ### 2026-09-08: South Africa and New Zealand rugby series moves to United States South Africa and New Zealand are taking their rugby rivalry to Baltimore, USA, in a high-revenue match aimed at expanding the sport's American audience. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-africa-and-new-zealand-rugby-series-moves-to-united-states ### 2026-09-06: Springboks lead All Blacks 2-1 ahead of series decider in Baltimore The Springboks lead the rugby series 2-1 against the All Blacks after a 29-24 win in Johannesburg. Both teams face major injuries ahead of the final Test decider in Baltimore. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/springboks-defeat-all-blacks-29-24-to-lead-rugby-series ### 2026-09-04: Springboks defeat All Blacks 29-24 to lead rugby series South Africa leads the rugby series 2-1 after a 29-24 victory over New Zealand in Soweto. Both teams face major injuries to stars Cheslin Kolbe and Ardie Savea ahead of the final Test in Baltimore. 33 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/springboks-and-all-blacks-face-series-deciding-test-in-soweto ### 2026-09-02: All Blacks and Springboks set for decisive third Test in Johannesburg The All Blacks and Springboks face off in a decisive third Test in Johannesburg to decide the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series, currently tied at 1-1. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/springboks-face-all-blacks-in-decisive-third-test-at-fnb-stadium ### 2026-08-31: Springboks announce squad for third Test against All Blacks Rassie Erasmus has named the Springboks squad for the third Test against the All Blacks in Johannesburg, with Cheslin Kolbe moving to fullback to replace the injured Damian Willemse. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/springboks-coach-rassie-erasmus-to-announce-squad-for-all-blacks-test ### 2026-08-31: Springboks level Test series against All Blacks with Cape Town win The Springboks and All Blacks have leveled their four-Test series at 1-1 after South Africa's 33-26 win in Cape Town. The series continues this Saturday in Soweto. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/all-blacks-prepare-for-third-test-after-loss-to-springboks ### 2026-08-28: South Africa beats New Zealand 33-26 to level rugby series South Africa defeated New Zealand 33-26 in Cape Town to level their four-match rugby Test series at 1-1, following a strong first half and a decisive late defensive stand. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/siya-kolisi-and-ardie-savea-maintain-friendship-off-the-rugby-pitch ### 2026-08-26: Springboks face All Blacks in Cape Town Test following series loss The Springboks face the All Blacks in the second Test of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series in Cape Town, seeking redemption after a first-match loss and featuring the return of captain Siya Kolisi. 23 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cape-town-prepares-for-springboks-vs-all-blacks-match-at-dhl-stadium ### 2026-08-24: Springboks prepare for All Blacks rematch amid injury concerns The Springboks prepare for their second Test against the All Blacks in Cape Town following a 33-16 loss, facing injury concerns for Siya Kolisi and strategic reviews from coach Rassie Erasmus. 17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/springboks-announce-squad-for-second-test-in-cape-town ### 2026-08-10: All Blacks announce 44-player squad for 2026 South Africa tour All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has announced a 44-player squad for the 2026 tour of South Africa, featuring veteran Rieko Ioane and several new call-ups as the team prepares for upcoming tests. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/all-blacks-announce-44-player-squad-for-2026-south-africa-tour ### 2026-08-10: All Blacks defeat Sharks 54-0 in rain-soaked Durban The All Blacks defeated the Sharks 54-0 in Durban during their South Africa tour, highlighted by a solo haka from Ma’a Nonu and an injury concern for Damian McKenzie. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/all-blacks-prepare-to-face-sharks-in-second-south-africa-tour-match ### 2026-08-08: South Africa defeats Argentina 17-10 in rugby test match South Africa defeated Argentina 17-10 in a rugby test match in Buenos Aires. The Springboks' victory was marked by captain Siya Kolisi's hamstring injury, which may impact his upcoming series. 34 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-africa-defeats-los-pumas-17-10-in-rugby-test-match ### 2026-08-07: All Blacks defeat Stormers 38-21 to open South African tour The All Blacks opened their South African tour with a 38-21 win over the Stormers, while the Springboks secured a hard-fought 17-10 victory against Argentina in Buenos Aires. 23 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/all-blacks-clash-with-stormers-in-cape-town-ahead-of-upcoming-test-series ### 2026-08-05: All Blacks set to play Stormers in Cape Town The All Blacks face the Stormers in Cape Town, fielding a test‑heavy 23‑man squad under coach Dave Rennie, who warns of a fast, pressure‑filled South African side. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/all-blacks-set-to-play-stormers-in-cape-town ### 2026-08-05: All Blacks unveil historic Great Rivalry squad as injuries loom All Blacks coach Dave Rennie names a historic Great Rivalry squad, with Patrick Tuipulotu as captain, while injuries to Codie Taylor and George Bell raise concerns ahead of the South Africa tour. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/all-blacks-unveil-historic-great-rivalry-squad-as-injuries-loom ### 2026-08-05: Springboks gear up for Buenos Aires test as Kolisi and Louw return from injury Kolisi returns for the Springboks' test in Buenos Aires, with coach Erasmus confident, while flanker Louw, back from a serious injury, urges the team to apply lessons from a past loss to Argentina. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/springboks-gear-up-for-buenos-aires-test-as-kolisi-and-louw-return-from-injury ### 2026-08-03: Springboks field returning captain Siya Kolisi against Argentina in Buenos Aires The Springboks face Argentina in Buenos Aires on Saturday, with captain Siya Kolisi and several others returning from injury, while coach Rassie Erasmus downplays concerns over Argentina’s recent on‑field indc​ 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/springboks-captain-siya-kolisi-confirmed-for-argentina-test ### 2026-08-01: All Blacks begin South Africa tour, highlighting rivalry and player ties The All Blacks start a historic South Africa tour, playing the Springboks before 5,000 fans, while highlighting player ties to the country and a rivalry dating back to 1921. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/all-blacks-begin-south-africa-tour-highlighting-rivalry-and-player-ties ### 2026-07-31: South Africa Springboks name 26-man squad for Argentina Test The Springboks have named a 26‑man squad for an 8 August Test in Buenos Aires, featuring returning stars like Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu and captain Siya Kolisi, as a warm‑up before the New Zealand series. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-africa-springboks-name-26-man-squad-for-argentina-test ### 2026-07-30: All Blacks begin first full-scale South Africa tour in 30 years All Blacks start a historic eight‑match South Africa tour, the first full tour in 30 years, featuring provincial games, four tests (first on 22 Aug, last in Baltimore on 12 Sept), and a focus on squad growth. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/all-blacks-launch-first-full-scale-south-africa-tour-in-three-decades ### 2026-07-29: All Blacks embark on Greatest Rivalry tour of South Africa and USA All Blacks announce a 44‑man squad for a South Africa‑USA 'Greatest Rivalry' tour, featuring three uncapped players and a comeback for winger Emoni Narawa. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/all-blacks-embark-on-greatest-rivalry-tour-of-south-africa-and-usa ### 2026-07-28: South Africa Springboks name 26-man squad for Argentina test on Aug 8 Rassie Erasmus named a 26‑man Springboks squad for the Argentina test on 8 Aug, featuring returning stars Kolisi, Feinberg‑Mngomezulu, de Jager, Etzebeth and van den Berg; the match in Buenos Aires will start 9 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/all-blacks-prepare-for-south-africa-tour-as-kieran-read-backs-ethan-blackadder ### 2026-07-27: All Blacks add three uncapped players to 44‑man South Africa and US tour squad All Blacks coach Dave Rennie named a 44‑player squad for a South Africa and US tour, adding three uncapped players – Siale Lauaki, Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa and Josh Jacomb – while keeping the 34‑member Nations Cup 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/all-blacks-add-three-uncapped-players-to-44man-south-africa-and-us-tour-squad --- Cite as: Springboks win Greatest Rivalry series 3-1. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/all-blacks-south-africa-tour-2026