New Zealand embark on their tour of South Africa as the All Blacks take on the Stormers in Cape Town.
Dave Rennie’s side will play eight matches across the next few weeks, including four Tests against the Springboks, as part of the new “Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry” reciprocal touring agreement. These tour games offer an opportunity for the new head coach to examine his depth after New Zealand showed promising signs during the Nations Championship.
They will know there is a mighty challenge awaiting them against the world champions – and perhaps tonight, too. The Stormers possess a good blend of youth and experience, and reached the semi-finals of last year’s United Rugby Championship. Can they strike an early blow on the tourists to start the landmark series in style? Or will the All Blacks show their class?
Follow all of the latest from the clash in Cape Town with our live blog below:
KICK OFF!
Up and running in Cape Town as Yaqeen Ahmed hoists the opening kick off.
Harry Latham-Coyle7 August 2026 18:02
Haka
A roar around DHL Stadium as the Stormers unite to face the Haka – led by Rieko Ioane on his All Blacks return. A mean-mugging Patrick Tuipulotu heads the All Blacks as they assemble in formation.
Tasty. Long way to go, lads, but it’s a strong start from the Kiwis as they lay their first challenge down.
Harry Latham-Coyle7 August 2026 18:00
Anthems
There will be anthems, too, which feels entirely unneeded. Craig Lucas nonetheless does a pleasant job of “God Defend New Zealand”, while Dr Darren Green works through the South African anthem with a little extra accompaniment.
Harry Latham-Coyle7 August 2026 17:57
Stormers vs New Zealand
The DHL Stadium has given this full billing, a lights show and fireworks upping the atmosphere as the teams ready themselves. All very impressive – though perhaps unnecessary for a tour game.
Harry Latham-Coyle7 August 2026 17:54
Stormers vs All Blacks match officials
Referee: Karl Dickson (Eng)
ARs: Matthew Carley (Eng) & Hollie Davidson (Sco)
TMO: Andrew Jackson (Eng)
FPRO: Mike Adamson (Sco)
Harry Latham-Coyle7 August 2026 17:50
All Blacks forced into late change
Ah – a real blow for Wallace Sititi, scratched late from the All Blacks team. In comes Anton Segner to the openside, with Peter Lakai moving across to No 8.
Harry Latham-Coyle7 August 2026 17:48
Experienced heads
Longer in the tooth than Sititi but nonetheless looking to stake a claim to starting shirts might be Beauden Barrett, Anton Lienert-Brown and Rieko Ioane in the All Blacks backline. Ioane was not part of the Nations Championship squad after his year at Leinster, but joins his fellow veterans in getting a chance to fire in a New Zealand side that will be backed again to play with ball in hand.
Barrett’s role over the next year or so will be fascinating as Dave Rennie builds towards a World Cup. Ruben Love was rock solid, but perhaps not spectacular, in July, and you can’t buy 144 Tests worth of experience. A start at some stage in the Springboks series feels a certainty, but Barrett will still have designs on the No 10 shirt in the longer term.
Harry Latham-Coyle7 August 2026 17:40
Wallace Sititi hoping to force his way back into Test mix
New Zealand back rower Wallace Sititi said it had been tough to be dropped from the team for their last Test match – but is aware that he had to be at his best to get back his place in the side.
The 23-year-old was a surprise omission from the All Blacks side who hammered Ireland 40-21 in Auckland in the last of their three Nations Championshipmatches last month. Sititi had started the previous week against Italy but, despite a comfortable 47-17 victory in Wellington, made too many mistakes for coach Dave Rennie’s liking.
The new All Blacks coach said he had made it clear toSititi what he needed to fix, but when asked on Monday if he had a clear idea of what needed to be done to get back in the side, the Chiefs forward evaded the question. “Look, I’m just trying to enjoy the footing; playing at my best is the focus,” Sititi said – though this feels a real opportunity to impress before Ardie Savea arrives on tour.
Team news – New Zealand
Patrick Tuipulotu captains New Zealand from the second row with Ardie Savea rested from the start of this tour and Codie Taylor not involved. Tuipulotu partners Fabian Holland, a welcome returnee at lock, while Simon Parker, Peter Lakai and Wallace Sititi form a mobile loose forward trio.
Beauden Barrett gets an opportunity to impress having been out of favour during the Nations Championship, while the uncapped Siale Lauaki and Josh Jacomb will wear an All Blacks shirt for the first time as tighthead and fly-half cover respectively.
New Zealand XV: 1 George Bower, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 3 Pasilio Tosi; 4 Fabian Holland, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu (capt.); 6 Simon Parker, 7 Peter Lakai, 8 Wallace Sititi; 9 Cortez Ratima, 10 Beauden Barrett; 11 Rieko Ioane, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 13 Billy Proctor, 14 Leroy Carter; 15 Josh Moorby.
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Ollie Norris, 18 Siale Lauaki, 19 Sam Darry, 20 Ethan Blackadder; 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Josh Jacomb, 23 Caleb Clarke.
Harry Latham-Coyle7 August 2026 17:10
Team news – Stormers
The Stormers blend some exciting youth with plenty of experience and quality. Fly half Yaqeen Ahmed is fresh from steeering South Africa’s Under-20s to World Junior Championship glory in Georgia, and has Warrick Gelant as a playmaking partner at full-back.
There is a real strength in the back row with veteran Deon Fourie alongside Hacjivah Dayminani and Evan Roos, while six more forwards wait on the bench.
Stormers XV: 1 Vernon Matongo, 2 Andre-Hugo Venter, 3 Neethling Fouche; 4 Adre Smith, 5 Connor Evans; 6 Deon Fourie, 7 Hacjivah Dayimani, 8 Evan Roos; 9 Imad Khan, 10 Yaqeen Ahmed; 11 Leolin Zas, 12 Jonathan Roche, 13 Ruhan Nel (capt.), 14 Seabelo Senatla; 15 Warrick Gelant.
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Ruan Ackermann, 20 Keke Morabe, 21 Wandile Mlaba; 22 Dewaldt Duvenage, 23 Wandisile Simelane.
Harry Latham-Coyle7 August 2026 17:06NewerOlder