The revival of the iconic tours between the Springboks and All Blacks took a step closer to reality, with NZR boss Mark Robinson confirming ongoing talks with SA Rugby.
Last year, there were reports that New Zealand Rugby were in talks with its SA Rugby counterparts to revive the iconic All Blacks-Springboks tours of old.
Currently, the British & Irish Lions are all that remains of an era made famous by tours. The revival of touring between the game’s two biggest brands would go some way to reconnect the powerhouse nations after South Africa’s departure from Super Rugby to European club competitions.
According to the NZ Herald, Sanzaar bosses met in Sydney two weeks ago, where they advanced the push for throwback tours that would see the All Blacks and Springboks alternating and playing three Tests plus midweek games in South Africa and New Zealand.
The reported initial plan would be to hold tours every four years, with the first tour tentatively pencilled in for 2026 in South Africa. The Springboks would then travel to New Zealand and face the All Blacks and the kiwi Super Rugby teams in 2030, a year after the British & Irish Lions tour.
In a wide-ranging interview with the Rugby Direct podcast, NZR chief executive Robinson confirmed plans to bring tours back.
“There’s been some talk around All Blacks and Springboks tours. We’re continuing to talk about those opportunities,” Robinson said.
Robinson explained that for the plans to go ahead, they would need the approval of Australia and Argentina to play in a truncated Rugby Championship in tour years.
“That was part of the conversations we had last week in Sydney. It potentially has some impact around the nature of what a traditional Rugby Championship looks like, so how do we work through with all the partners involved to make sure something like that can be additive for all the teams across the Sanzaar joint venture.
“It’s definitely something that’s on the radar. There’s a bit more work to do at this stage.”
Photo: Twitter: @Springboks