Sky Sports has finalized a fresh agreement with SANZAAR – the governing body that unites South African, New Zealand, Australian and Argentine rugby – to retain the exclusive television rights for international rugby fixtures from 2026 through 2030. This renewal builds on a partnership that has spanned more than thirty years, underscoring the deep‑rooted relationship between the broadcaster and the sport’s premier southern‑hemisphere competitions. Under the terms of the new deal, Sky Sports will be the sole platform in the United Kingdom and Ireland to air the highly anticipated "Rugby's Greatest Rivalry" series, a comprehensive eight‑match tour in which the All Blacks will travel to South Africa.
The tour kicks off on Friday, 7 August, and will feature a blend of four official Test matches against the Springboks and four additional games against provincial club sides. Every encounter – from the opening clash in Cape Town to the final Test on U.S.
soil – will be streamed live on Sky Sports, giving British and Irish fans uninterrupted access to one of rugby’s most storied contests. The itinerary for the tour is as follows: - **Friday, 7 August – Stormers vs New Zealand** in Cape Town. The All Blacks will open the tour with a high‑scoring encounter against the Stormers, a match that promises fireworks in the coastal city. - **Tuesday, 11 August – Sharks vs New Zealand** in Durban.
The Sharks will host the visitors in a game that tests the visitors’ adaptability to the humid coastal climate. - **Saturday, 15 August – Bulls vs New Zealand** in Pretoria, scheduled for 6 pm BST.
The Bulls, known for their physical forward play, will offer a stern test for the touring side. - **Saturday, 22 August – FIRST TEST: South Africa vs New Zealand** at Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg, kicking off at 4:10 pm BST.
The historic venue sets the stage for the first official Test of the series. - **Tuesday, 25 August – Lions vs New Zealand** in Johannesburg, with a 6 pm BST start time. The Lions will provide a further opportunity for the All Blacks to fine‑tune their strategies ahead of the next Test. - **Saturday, 29 August – SECOND TEST: South Africa vs New Zealand** in Cape Town, again at 4:10 pm BST.
The second Test returns to the Western Cape, offering a contrasting environment to the high‑altitude conditions of Johannesburg. - **Saturday, 5 September – THIRD TEST: South Africa vs New Zealand** at the iconic FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, scheduled for 4:10 pm BST. The massive venue, often associated with major sporting spectacles, will host a decisive encounter in the series. - **Saturday, 12 September – FOURTH TEST: South Africa vs New Zealand** at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, USA, with a 10 pm BST kickoff.
The concluding Test marks a rare occasion where a southern‑hemisphere rivalry is played on North American soil, expanding the global reach of the sport. For the best viewing experience, Sky Sports advises fans to use the Chrome web browser, which supports a more accessible and reliable video player. In addition to live coverage, the broadcaster will supply a robust digital ecosystem: short clips, extended highlights, and on‑demand replays will be available across Sky’s online platforms and social media channels, ensuring that supporters who miss the live action can still stay up‑to‑date.
Beyond the New Zealand tour, the agreement also covers the Rugby Championship for the years 2027, 2028 and 2029, as well as the Bledisloe Cup and other SANZAAR‑sanctioned internationals in 2026 and 2030. Notably, the 2030 schedule includes Sky Sports broadcasting South Africa’s reciprocal tour of New Zealand, thereby completing a full cycle of southern‑hemisphere exchange tours.
Brendan Morris, Chief Executive Officer of SANZAAR, expressed enthusiasm about the renewed partnership: "SANZAAR is delighted to retain Sky Sports as a rights holder broadcaster in the UK for the next iteration of our international rugby tournaments. We have partnered with Sky Sports for over 25 years and rugby fans in the UK will continue to enjoy world‑class action from Super Rugby Pacific, The Rugby Championship, Bledisloe Cup and additional tour matches, including this year's series between South Africa and New Zealand." The deal also emphasizes fan engagement tools. Viewers can customize sports notifications, download the Sky Sports mobile app for on‑the‑go access, and even follow the network’s official WhatsApp channel for real‑time updates. These features aim to keep the audience connected throughout the extensive tour, which stretches across multiple time zones and continents.
In summary, Sky Sports’ new contract secures the exclusive broadcast of one of rugby’s most compelling narratives – the All Blacks’ eight‑match odyssey through South Africa – while also guaranteeing comprehensive coverage of future SANZAAR events. British and Irish supporters can look forward to an uninterrupted stream of live Tests, club fixtures, and supplementary content, all delivered through Sky’s premier sports platform. The partnership not only preserves a historic broadcasting relationship but also expands the sport’s visibility, culminating in a historic fourth Test in Baltimore that brings the rivalry to a new, trans‑Atlantic audience.