Sky Sports has secured a fresh agreement with SANZAAR – the governing body that brings together South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Argentina Rugby – to broadcast international rugby from 2026 through 2030. This new contract builds on a partnership that has spanned more than thirty years, reinforcing the long‑standing relationship between the broadcaster and the sport’s southern‑hemisphere powerhouses. Under the terms of the deal, Sky Sports will enjoy exclusive rights to what is being billed as "Rugby's Greatest Rivalry" – a high‑profile tour in which the All Blacks will travel to South Africa for an eight‑match series that kicks off on Friday, 7 August. All four official Test matches against the Springboks, as well as the four additional fixtures against provincial clubs, will be shown live on Sky Sports, giving UK and Irish audiences unrivalled access to every moment of the action.
The itinerary for the tour is as follows: - **Friday, 7 August – Cape Town:** The Stormers host New Zealand, with the All Blacks prevailing 38‑21. - **Tuesday, 11 August – Durban:** The Sharks face New Zealand, who dominate with a 54‑0 shut‑out. - **Saturday, 15 August – Pretoria (6 pm BST):** The Bulls take on the visitors in a high‑stakes match. - **Saturday, 22 August – Johannesburg, Ellis Park Stadium (4:10 pm BST):** First Test of the series between South Africa and New Zealand.
- **Tuesday, 25 August – Johannesburg:** The Lions host the All Blacks. - **Saturday, 29 August – Cape Town (4:10 pm BST):** Second Test of the series.
- **Saturday, 5 September – Johannesburg, FNB Stadium (4:10 pm BST):** Third Test of the series. - **Saturday, 12 September – Baltimore, USA, M&T Bank Stadium (10 pm BST):** Fourth and final Test, taking the rivalry onto American soil.
Fans are advised to use the Chrome browser for the most reliable video player experience, ensuring smooth streaming of all matches. Beyond this tour, the agreement also guarantees that Sky Sports will broadcast the Rugby Championship in 2027, 2028 and 2029, as well as the iconic Bledisloe Cup and other SANZAAR internationals slated for 2026 and 2030.
Looking ahead to 2030, the broadcaster will also cover South Africa's reciprocal tour of New Zealand, completing a full cycle of southern‑hemisphere rugby exchange. In addition to live coverage, Sky Sports will provide a suite of digital services for UK and Irish fans. Full‑length replays, highlights, and curated clips will be available across Sky’s online platforms, including the Sky Sports app, website, and social media channels.
This multi‑platform approach ensures that supporters can catch up on any missed action at their convenience. Brendan Morris, Chief Executive of SANZAAR, expressed enthusiasm for 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." To stay up‑to‑date with match times, scores, and breaking news, viewers can enable sports notifications through the Sky Sports app, follow the channel on WhatsApp, or subscribe to its newsletters. The app also offers personalized alerts, allowing fans to tailor the information they receive based on their favourite teams and competitions.
In summary, the All Blacks' eight‑match South African tour, beginning on 7 August, will be streamed live and exclusively on Sky Sports. With comprehensive coverage of every Test, club encounter, and ancillary rugby event through 2030, the partnership promises to deliver unparalleled access to the sport’s most thrilling moments for audiences across the United Kingdom and Ireland.