All Blacks excited for Stormers opening test ahead of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry

Dave Rennie believes the All Blacks will receive the perfect introduction to South African rugby and what awaits them on tour when they face the Stormers in Friday’s opening match of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry at DHL Stadium in Cape Town.

The New Zealand coach is expecting a fierce first examination against the inaugural United Rugby Championship (URC) winners before his squad turns its attention to the four Tests against the world champion Springboks over the next few weeks.

Last season, the Stormers enjoyed another impressive URC campaign, reaching the semi-finals, and Rennie expects them to showcase their trademark physicality, set-piece dominance, skill and pace that have become trademarks of the side under John Dobson.

“They’ve got a great reputation,” Rennie said about the Cape side.

“They had a pretty strong season in the URC and got away to a really good start, making the semis. We’re well aware of all the South African sides. They’ve got a lot of big men, they play a great brand of footy, they’re quick, and, playing in a historic stadium like DHL Stadium… we’re really excited about it.”

The battle in Cape Town, where the All Blacks should receive some big support in the stands, signals the beginning of a unique tour. It is the first time since 1996 that the Kiwis will face the Springboks in four Tests in a season, while playing midweek games against the franchises.

Cape Town, a home away from home for the All Blacks. The Cape Crusaders are something😅 else but the #Springboks will welcome this challenge ahead of the #RugbysGreatestRivalry series via @IOL @IOLsport https://t.co/o6B3WHeiwC pic.twitter.com/Jn4ZyS3HSZ

— Leighton Koopman (@Leighton_K) July 31, 2026

Rennie believes that adds another fascinating layer to the series, with the lessons learned each week becoming crucial for the next game as the rivalry continues.

“It’s completely different to a World Cup,” the newly-appointed Kiwi coach explained.

“We’re playing the same team four times, so your review ends up being your preview, and hopefully you learn a bit and do things better next game.”

The inclusion of provincial fixtures is another part of the tour that Rennie values highly. Following the Stormers clash, the All Blacks will face the Sharks in Durban and the Bulls in Pretoria, before the first Test kicks off at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on 22 August.

With matches scheduled between the Tests, Rennie will be able to make use of every member of the touring squad and they’ll be able to pull on the famous black jersey rather than simply training on the sidelines.

“We’ve got midweek games, and it means that everyone gets to play. Sometimes when you’re away on tour, some guys will train but never get a chance to wear the jersey, so playing the provincial sides is great for the whole squad.

“It’s a pretty tight schedule, and we’ve got some times where one group’s playing and the other group’s training on the same day. So we have to find a good balance and ensure we embrace the country and challenge ahead. We must get out of footy at times so we’ll definitely make sure that we enjoy a bit of downtime.”