Watch South Africa vs New Zealand 1st Test live streams
After two weeks and three matches on tour for the visitors, the South Africa vs New Zealand 1st Test is finally here. Billed as part of the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry 2026, this is the first tour between the Springboks and All Blacks in 30 years and it's frankly unmissable.
For the hosts, Rassie Erasmus has eschewed a natural tendency toward funky selections to go big for the 1st Test. That means a power pack featuring Eben Etzebeth and Ruan Nortje in the second row, with Pieter-Steph du Toit on the blindside. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Grant Williams will form the halfback pairing with Kurt-Lee Arendse and Cheslin Kolbe on the wing. The hosts are the world No.1 with good reason as the back-to-back world champions and most recently beat Argentina 17-10 in a friendly earlier this month.
The All Blacks have won three out of three tour games so far and for the most part looked good doing so, even if a 38-21 win over the Stormers needed a late show of three tries in the final eight minutes to add some gloss. This is head coach Dave Rennie's first tour since taking the top job and his decision to hand Ruben Love the keys at No.10 gets a proper grilling today. Jordie Barrett will move back into inside centre while Quinn Tupaea will partner him. Cam Roigard and captain Ardie Savea have both recovered to start.
Follow our guide below for where to watch South Africa vs New Zealand 1st Test live streams from anywhere with a VPN. We've also listed the full schedule and venues below.
South Africa vs New Zealand 1st Test |
4.10pm BST – Sat, 22 Aug |
Free streams |
RugbyPass TV (US) |
WATCH ANYWHERE |
How can I watch South Africa vs New Zealand 1st Test for free?
Lucky viewers in the US can watch all eight games of the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry tour for free, including the South Africa vs New Zealand 1st Test, courtesy of RugbyPass TV. You can also access this via the RugbyPass app (iOS/Android)
In New Zealand, meanwhile, all eight games will be shown on delay later in the day via the free-to-air Three and its ThreeNow streaming platform. Check your listings for the broadcast start times of each match.
If you're from the US but you're currently abroad, you can simply use a VPN to tap into that free coverage of the opening test. More details below...
Watch South Africa vs New Zealand 1st Test live streams from anywhere
You won't be able to watch your regular South Africa vs New Zealand 1st Test live streams while traveling abroad. The platform will detect that you're in a foreign country and block you. You can use a VPN to get round this.
We rate NordVPN as one of the best VPN for streaming sports. It offers a generous 30-day guarantee for all your money back if you're not happy with the service.
How to watch South Africa vs New Zealand 1st Test in the US
South Africa vs New Zealand 1st Test is free-to-air in the US, thanks to RugbyPass TV. All you need to do is register an account.
Outside the US right now? Use NordVPN to access your preferred coverage of the rugby.
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Watch South Africa vs New Zealand 1st Test live streams in the UK
South Africa vs New Zealand 1st Test is being shown on Sky Sports in the UK, on its Action and + channels.
Need the Sky Sports lowdown before you invest? Check out our dedicated guide to all things Sky.
Outside the UK today? Use NordVPN to watch South Africa vs New Zealand as if you were back home.
Watch South Africa vs New Zealand 1st Test live streams in Australia
South Africa vs New Zealand 1st Test is available to watch on Stan Sport in Australia, which costs AU$20/month on top of a AU$9.99/month Stan base plan.
If you're currently spending time in Australia from the US, use a good VPN, as detailed above, to tap into your free RGR coverage.
South Africa vs New Zealand 1st Test: Need to Know
What time does South Africa vs New Zealand kick-off?
The opening test between South Africa and New Zealand will kick off at 4.10pm BST on Saturday. That is 11.10am ET in the US, 1.10am AEST in Australia on Sunday, 3.10am NZST in New Zealand on Sunday and 5.10pm SAST in South Africa.
What is the team news for South Africa vs New Zealand?
South Africa: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (captain), 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Andre Esterhuizen, 21 Marco van Staden, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Manie Libbok
New Zealand: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Josh Moorby, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Ardie Savea (captain), 7 Luke Jacobson, 6 Tupou Vaa'i, 5 Fabian Holland, 4 Josh Lord, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 George Bower, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Anton Segner, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Leroy Carter
What is the Springboks vs All Blacks head-to-head?
The Springboks have won 43 of their 110 previous encounters with New Zealand. The All Blacks have won 63, and the other four ended in draws.
In South Africa, the head-to-head stands at 28-25-1.
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