Sky Sports has secured the exclusive broadcasting rights for one of rugby's most anticipated series, the New Zealand tour of South Africa, as part of a renewed agreement with SANZAAR that will run from 2026 through 2030. This partnership, which now stretches over thirty years, guarantees that UK and Irish fans will be able to watch every moment of the eight‑match tour, from the opening clash in Cape Town to the final test in Baltimore, on the Sky Sports platform.
The schedule for the tour is packed with high‑stakes fixtures. The All Blacks will open the series on Friday, 7 August, when they travel to Cape Town to face the Stormers, a match that is expected to be a showcase of New Zealand's attacking flair against a resilient South African side. Four days later, on Tuesday, 11 August, the All Blacks will head to Durban to take on the Sharks, a game that promises to test the visitors' ability to adapt to the coastal conditions and the Sharks' powerful forward pack. The mid‑week fixtures continue with a clash against the Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday, 15 August, scheduled for 6 p.m.
BST. This encounter will be a stern test for the visitors, as the Bulls are renowned for their physicality and strategic kicking game.
After a brief pause, the first official Test of the series will be staged at Johannesburg's historic Ellis Park Stadium on Saturday, 22 August at 4:10 p.m. BST.
This match will be billed as the opening chapter of "Rugby's Greatest Rivalry," pitting the world’s two most successful rugby nations against each other in a battle for supremacy. The tour proceeds with a non‑Test match against the Lions in Johannesburg on Tuesday, 25 August at 6 p.m. BST, providing a chance for the All Blacks to rotate their squad and give emerging talent a platform on South African soil. The second Test will then move to the coastal city of Cape Town on Saturday, 29 August, again kicking off at 4:10 p.m.
BST, where the All Blacks will seek to either level the series or take a commanding lead. The third Test arrives on Saturday, 5 September, at Johannesburg’s iconic FNB Stadium, a venue famed for its massive capacity and electric atmosphere. The match, set for 4:10 p.m. BST, will be a decisive encounter, with both teams aware that the series could be decided in this game.
Finally, the tour concludes with a historic fourth Test on Saturday, 12 September, held at the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, USA, at 10 p.m. BST.
This trans‑Atlantic finale underscores the global reach of rugby and offers American fans a rare opportunity to witness top‑level southern‑hemisphere rugby live. Sky Sports has advised viewers to use the Chrome browser for the most reliable video player experience, ensuring smooth streaming of all eight matches.
In addition to live coverage, the broadcaster will provide comprehensive highlights, clips, and analysis across its digital platforms, allowing fans to catch up on any action they may have missed. 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 internationals in 2026 and 2030.
Notably, Sky Sports will broadcast South Africa’s reciprocal tour of New Zealand in 2030, further cementing its role as the premier destination for international rugby in the UK and Ireland. Brendan Morris, Chief Executive of SANZAAR, expressed enthusiasm about the renewed partnership, stating that retaining Sky Sports as a rights holder ensures continuity for fans who have enjoyed over a quarter‑century of high‑quality rugby coverage. He highlighted the breadth of the package, which includes Super Rugby Pacific, the Rugby Championship, the Bledisloe Cup, and additional tour matches, all of which will be available to subscribers. For those eager to stay informed, Sky Sports encourages fans to customize their sports notifications, download the Sky Sports app, and follow the network on WhatsApp for real‑time updates, behind‑the‑scenes content, and exclusive insights.
In summary, the eight‑match New Zealand tour of South Africa, commencing on 7 August, will be broadcast live and exclusively on Sky Sports. The comprehensive coverage, combined with the extended rights agreement covering future tournaments, ensures that rugby enthusiasts in the UK and Ireland will have uninterrupted access to the sport’s most compelling narratives for years to come.