The Springboks and the All Blacks will contest their 107th Test match at Ellis Park this weekend with so much history between the sides.
Here we look at a handful of stats and facts from rugby’s greatest rivalry
Springboks vs All Blacks: The Stats and facts
South Africa have won each of their last two Test matches against New Zealand, as many as they won across their eight meetings prior to that span (W2D1L5). The last time the Springboks recorded a longer winning run against the All Blacks was a three-match span from July to September in 2009.
Springboks vs All Blacks: In South Africa
New Zealand have won five of their last six Test matches against South Africa in South Africa (L1), including a 35-23 victory when they last met in the country (13 August 2022 in Johannesburg) ; in fact, the Springboks (70%-190/273) and the All Blacks (53%-30/57) have the best overall win-rates of any teams to play more than one Test in the country.
Springboks scoring hot streak
South Africa have won nine of their last 10 Test matches, including each of their last three; the Springboks have scored 30+points in each of their last three games–the last time they recorded a longer such scoring run was a five-match span from June to August in 2017.
All Blacks travel well
New Zealand have won six of their last seven Test matches outside New Zealand, recording an average winning margin of 51 points per game across those six wins; although, the All Blacks’ only defeat in that span was their 11-12 loss against South Africa in the 2023 Rugby World Cup Final.
In the Rugby Championship
South Africa have made 25 attacking 22m entries in The Rugby Championship 2024, 11 more than they’ve conceded(14) – the only team in the tournament with a positive differential; in addition, the Springboks have a gainline success rate of 60%- the best of any team in the campaign.
New Zealand have gained 527 post contact metres in The Rugby Championship 2024, at least 61 more than any other team; in addition,the All Blacks have scored 3.67 points per attacking 22m entry–the most of any team in the campaign.
South Africa duo Kurt-Lee Arendse (3) and Pieter-Steph du Toit(3) have made more line breaks than any other players in The Rugby Championship 2024; in addition, du Toit has gained 98 metres, the most of any forward in the campaign and the fourth most of any player overall (JuanCruzMallia–127, Cheslin Kolbe–110 and Kurt-Lee Arendse –107).
New Zealand trio Mark Tele’a (11), Ardie Savea (9) and Anton Lienert-Brown (6) have made more tackle breaks than any other players in The Rugby Championship 2024.
Eben Etzebeth (South Africa) has won 14 lineouts including one steal in The Rugby Championship 2024, four more than any other player in the competition and one of only three players to have logged double figures in this category (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto–10 for Australia and Harry Wilson –10 for Australia).
Beauden Barrett (New Zealand) has been directly involved in six tries in his last six Test matches (2 tries,4 try assists), including a try in his most recent match against South Africa (28 October 2023).
Springboks vs All Blacks: Results summary
| Location | Played | Won by New Zealand |
Won by South Africa |
Drawn | New Zealand points | South Africa points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| In New Zealand | 46 | 33 | 10 | 3 | 1,003 | 616 |
| In South Africa | 52 | 25 | 26 | 1 | 1,037 | 967 |
| Neutral venue | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 156 | 157 |
| Overall | 106 | 62 | 40 | 4 | 2,196 | 1,740 |
Who will win the first Springboks vs All Blacks Test of 2024?
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