One week to go: Springboks v All Blacks is a rivalry for the ages – A…

South Africa and New Zealand’s rivalry is rugby’s oldest and most storied international fixture, dating back to South Africa’s first tour of New Zealand in 1921.

To date, the two nations have played 110 Tests: New Zealand lead 63 wins to South Africa’s 43, with 4 draws. musojam.blog

In South Africa, where the All Blacks embark on their first full tour of the country in 30 years – in the four-Test Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series – New Zealand have had the upper hand 28 times, lost to the Springboks 25 times, and had one draw.

However, the rivalry’s balance has tilted dramatically in South Africa’s favour in the last three years.

Springboks getting an edge at home

The Springboks have won seven of the last 10 clashes between the sides, securing them their first back-to-back Rugby Championship titles.

In terms of home games, the Springboks have won four of their last five encounters in South Africa.

Under captain Siya Kolisi and coaches Jacques Nienaber and Rassie Erasmus, the Springboks won four consecutive Tests against New Zealand across 2023/24, a sequence last achieved between 1937 and 1949 before the All Blacks snapped the run with a 24-17 win at Eden Park in September last year.

That extended their 51-match unbeaten run at the ground, going back to 1994.

South Africa answered immediately, thrashing New Zealand 43-10 in Wellington a week later – the All Blacks’ heaviest defeat in their history, eclipsing the Springboks’ own previous record of 35-7 set at Twickenham in a 2023 World Cup warm-up.

Only two other results rank among New Zealand’s five worst defeats ever, and South Africa are responsible for three of them.

The All Blacks will see their declining record in South Africa as something to be rectified, their 33 wins, 10 defeats and three draws at home meaning little now.

Dan Carter, Handré Pollard and Bryan Habana key individuals

At neutral venues, the sides have been dead level on points scored across their four meetings.

At Rugby World Cups, the Springboks actually lead the head-to-head 4-2, including the famous 1995 final on home soil and the tense 12-11 win over the All Blacks in the 2023 final in Paris.

Those were the only two times the sides have met in a World Cup decider.

The All Blacks had the edge in other World Cup knockouts: the 2003 quarter-final in Melbourne (29-9) and 2015 semi-final at Twickenham (20-18).

The teams each hold a win over the other in the pool stages.

Individually, the rivalry has produced some of the sport’s greatest players and closest personal duels.

All Black flyhalf Dan Carter remains the fixture’s all-time leading points-scorer with 255 points.

Andrew Mehrtens has 209 points, while South Africa’s best scorer, Handré Pollard has 169 points, and should build on that in this series.

New Zealand’s Christian Cullen has scored 10 tries in the rivalry, South Africa’s Bryan Habana has scored eight. Cheslin Kolbe has seven tries and could overtake Habana.

Springbok centre Damian de Allende and flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit, on 99 and 98 caps respectively, should become South Africa’s 10th and 11^th Test centurions during the series.

The first of four Tests between the Springboks and All Blacks over the next month is next Saturday at Ellis Park.

La journée du jeudi 13 août a connu le déroulement des deux matchs barrages qualificatifs pour les barrages intercontinentaux qui ont permis au Ghana et à l’Afrique du Sud sur le même score de (2 – 1) face à la Côte d’Ivoire et le Nigéria de maintenir l’espoir d’aller au Mondial 2027.

La ville de Casablanca a accueilli ses deux derniers matchs de la Coupe d’Afrique des nations (CAN) – Maroc 2026 qui ont mis aux prises le Ghana à la Côte d’Ivoire, au stade Larbi Zaouli, et l’Afrique du Sud au Nigéria, au stade Moulay Rachid, tous deux comptant pour les barrages qualificatifs aux barrages intercontinentaux de la Coupe du monde – Brésil 2027.

Pour rappel, les quatre sélections ont été éliminées lors des quarts de finale, laissant échapper une qualification directe pour le Mondial. Toutefois, la FIFA, qui a augmenté le nombre d’équipes participantes à 32 lors de l’édition Brésilienne, l’Afrique a bénéficié de la possibilité de disputer des barrages en trois étapes : un continental et deux intercontinentaux, l’un en novembre et l’autre en mars 2027.

Tour à tour, le Ghana et l’Afrique du Sud ont réussi le pari de maintenir l’espoir de faire le voyage en Amérique du sud l’été prochain en disposant de leurs adversaires respectifs sur le même score de (2 – 1) au terme de matchs à suspense jusqu’au bout.

La Côte d’Ivoire avait pourtant ouvert la marque très tôt sur un penalty signé Inès Konan (4^e), poussant le Ghana à courir derrière le score dès l’entame de la rencontre.

La partie gagne en intensité avec des duels très acharnés, provoquant des cartons jaunes de part et d’autre, Bernadette Amani côté ivoirien, et Portia Boakye et Aïssata Gbehi, côté ghanéen.

La mi-temps est sifflée avec un avantage ivoirien et une sortie sur blessure de la ghanéenne Doris Boaduwaa dans le temps additionnel, remplacée par Evelyn Badu.

Après la pause, les Blacks Queens vont afficher un autre visage puisqu’elles vont égaliser grâce à Princess Marfo (59^e), avant que Joséphine Bonsu ne donne l’avantage sur penalty à la (72^e).

Renversées, comme ce fut le cas contre l’Algérie en quart de finale, les ivoiriennes vont jeter leurs derniers efforts dans la bataille, tout en connaissant plusieurs changements qui, finalement, ne changeront rien au score final. Le Ghana de Kim Lars Björkegren s’offre ainsi la possibilité de rêver de Mondial après trois participations (1999, 2003 et 2007).

Dans la soirée, au stade Moulay Rachid, l’Afrique du Sud a imité le Ghana en dominant le Nigéria, champion en titre déchu de sa couronne. Après une première mi-temps plutôt équilibrée et disputée de part et d’autre, les Banyana Banyana ont débloqué leur compteur grâce à une contre-attaque rapide qui a permis à Hildah Magaia de trouver dans l’intervalle Thembi Kgatlana pour marquer le premier but (56^e).

La même Kgatlana a failli creuser l’écart si elle avait réussi à mieux cadrer son tir, alors qu’elle était idéalement placée. Les Super Falcons auront une réaction à un quart d’heure de la fin par Uchenna Kanu, dont la tête a été repoussée par la gardienne Kaylin Swart (75^e).

Dans la minute qui suit, Refiloe Jane profite d’un ballon mal dégagé par la défense nigériane pour adresser une belle frappe dans la surface de réparation qui fera mouche (76^e). la balle du KO était dans les pieds de Magaia qui, encore une fois, n’a pas cadré sa frappe, donnant la possibilité au Nigéria de répondre dans le temps additionnel par un but sur penalty suite à une main de Jane vérifiée à la VAR.

La remplaçante Christy Ucheibe a transformé avec autorité, réduisant l’écart et donnant un petit espoir qui s’effilocha quelques instants après le coup de sifflet final d’un match animé, mais une victoire et une qualification méritées pour les Banyana Banyana.

Résultats des matchs barrages :

Jeudi 13 août

• Match barrage de qualification pour la Coupe du monde de la FIFA – Brésil 2027, stade Larbi Zaouli de Casablanca : Côte d’Ivoire – Ghana (1 – 2).
• Match barrage de qualification pour la Coupe du monde de la FIFA – Brésil 2027, stade Moulay Rachid de Casablanca : Afrique du Sud – Nigeria (2 – 1).

Le programme des matchs qui restent :

Samedi 15 août

• 19h : Petite finale, stade Olympique de Rabat : Maroc – Algérie.

Dimanche 16 août

• 21h : Finale, stade Moulay El-Hassan de Rabat : Malawi – Cameroun.

L’article Le Ghana et l’Afrique du Sud maintiennent l’espoir d’un Mondial est apparu en premier sur Foot Afrique.

The Spanish top flight, La Liga, is gearing up for another thrilling season in 2026/27. With FC Barcelona chasing a remarkable third consecutive title, the stakes are incredibly high. Rivals Real Madrid, under the returning guidance of Jose Mourinho, will be determined to reclaim their dominance. This season promises intense competition at both ends of the table.

South African football enthusiasts are keenly awaiting the kick-off, eager to follow the drama unfold. From title contenders to teams battling for European spots and those fighting to avoid relegation, every match will carry significant weight. New rule implementations also add an intriguing layer to the upcoming campaign, potentially influencing game dynamics and outcomes.

READ ALSO: Real Madrid extend Vinicius Junior to 2032 and sign Yan Diomandé for a reported EUR 140m

Key Dates	Details
Season Start	Weekend of 14th-15th August 2026
Defending Champions	FC Barcelona
Number of Teams	20
European Qualification	Top 4 for Champions League, 5th/6th for Europa League/Conference League (subject to cup winners)
Relegation	Bottom 3 teams

Barcelona’s quest for a treble of titles

FC Barcelona enters the 2026/27 season as the two-time defending champions. Their consistent performance over the past two seasons has established them as the team to beat. The squad’s blend of experienced veterans and emerging talents has proven highly effective. Maintaining this momentum will be crucial for their historic title pursuit.

The pressure to secure a third consecutive title will be immense. Their tactical approach and ability to handle key fixtures will define their season. Early indications suggest a strong pre-season, but the true test begins when the league matches kick off in August.

READ ALSO: Why FIFA should make room for Africa’s local league players at the World Cup

Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid

The return of Jose Mourinho to Real Madrid has sent ripples across the football world. His previous tenure brought significant success, and fans will be hoping for a similar impact. Mourinho’s tactical acumen and ability to instill a winning mentality could be the catalyst Real Madrid needs to challenge Barcelona’s dominance.

Reports suggest a renewed focus on defensive solidity and strategic attacking play. Key players like Vinicius Jr. are expected to play a central role in Mourinho’s plans. The early season clashes between Real Madrid and Barcelona will be highly anticipated, potentially setting the tone for the title race.

The race for european spots

Beyond the title contenders, the battle for European qualification promises to be fierce. Teams like Sevilla FC, Athletic Club, and potentially RCD Espanyol de Barcelona have shown strong performances in recent seasons. Securing a spot in the Champions League or Europa League is a major objective for many clubs, offering both prestige and financial rewards.

The depth of squads and consistency over a long season will be vital for these teams. Transfers in the summer window could significantly alter their prospects. Every point will count in this tightly contested race, making for exciting finishes throughout the campaign.

READ ALSO: Ligue 1 2026/27 season preview

New rule changes and their impact

The 2026/27 La Liga season will see the implementation of new rule changes aimed at reducing time-wasting and increasing effective playing time. These adjustments could have a notable impact on game flow and strategy. Teams will need to adapt quickly to avoid penalties and maintain their rhythm.

Coaches will be working to integrate these changes into their training and match tactics. The initial weeks of the season might see some adjustments as players and officials get accustomed to the new regulations. This could potentially create early upsets or unexpected results.

READ ALSO: Online Sports Betting South Africa| SportPesa

Fast facts and FAQs

When does the 2026/27 La Liga season start?

The 2026/27 La Liga season is scheduled to begin on the weekend of 14th-15th August 2026.

Who are the defending champions?

FC Barcelona are the two-time defending champions, having won their 29th title in the previous season.

Which teams are expected to challenge for the title?

FC Barcelona and Real Madrid are widely considered the primary title contenders. Other teams may emerge as dark horses, but these two are the perennial favourites.

Will there be any new rule changes?

Yes, new rule changes aimed at reducing time-wasting are expected to be in effect for the 2026/27 season.

Conclusion

The 2026/27 La Liga season promises to be a captivating spectacle for South African football fans. With Barcelona aiming for a historic third title, Real Madrid’s renewed challenge under Mourinho, and intense battles across the league, there will be no shortage of drama. Stay tuned to SportPesa for all the latest updates and analysis as the season unfolds.

Former Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer believes the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series has come too soon in Dave Rennie’s All Blacks tenure.

Rennie has won his first five matches in charge, including tour victories against the Stormers and Sharks, but Meyer says facing the world champions over four Tests will expose the difference in depth between the two nations.

“I think it’s very difficult for Dave Rennie to start [his All Blacks tenure] and to face the Springboks,” Meyer told the Behind the Ruck podcast.

“I think what the Springboks are doing right now is picking our best side, and this side is very experienced and four Test matches is going to be very tough, but we’ve got depth.

“And I think that’s what the All Blacks don’t have. I’ve got so much respect for the way they play, but they don’t have the depth because they only keep big guys [well-known players] in New Zealand and they’ve lost a lot of good guys [to overseas clubs].”

ALSO: Fleckie warns Boks of Rennie’s brutality

Meyer, who coached the Boks from 2012 to 2015, believes South Africa’s traditional strengths give them the edge.

“On the day, the All Blacks can beat any team, but I think the way the game is going now you have to scrum well, you have to maul well. It’s a set-piece game. They like a continuous game.

“The game has changed because you can bring in a whole new pack. So, we’re the only team in the world that’s got that depth in the forwards, maybe France [as well].

“And if you don’t have a good set-piece, you’re in trouble. And we’ve got an unbelievable set-piece. So, it will be close, but at home, you have to back the Springboks.”

KRONFELD: Springboks on another level

Meyer believes the Boks’ 17-10 win against Argentina in Buenos Aires last Saturday also demonstrated their ability to prevail when below their best.

“They know they didn’t play well, but they still know how to win. They were under pressure, everything went against them and two moments, two great tries.

“So, we’ve got brilliant players, but I think our set-piece is by far the best in the world.”

Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images

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