All Blacks: Beauden Barrett identifies one of the Springboks’ key strengths ahead of Greatest Rivalry series
Beauden Barrett in action for the All Blacks against the Springboks and at a New Zealand training session (inset),
Beauden Barrett has opened up on the “excitement” and “challenge” which awaits the All Blacks when they go on their eagerly anticipated tour to South Africa later this year.
New Zealand will head out to South Africa in early August with the All Blacks taking on all four of the United Rugby Championship sides ahead of three clashes with the Springboks in Johannesburg (twice) and Cape Town, before Baltimore hosts the fourth and final Test on September 12.
The All Blacks and Springboks are the most successful nations in the history of Test rugby with the men in black having a 76% winning record and the Boks are second best with 64%.
However, South Africa have won the most Rugby World Cup titles (four) while New Zealand are next best with three triumphs at the global showpiece.
Rivals for more than 100 years
The Boks and All Blacks have been battling it out at international level since 1921 when South Africa drew a Test series in New Zealand. Since then, they have faced each other in 12 series, with New Zealand and South Africa hosting six of those apiece.
The Springboks clinched their only series victory on New Zealand soil in 1937, while the All Blacks had to wait until 1996 to claim that momentous achievement in South Africa.
It is therefore no surprise that the upcoming clashes between the arch-rivals has been dubbed as the “Greatest Rivalry” series and Barrett is determined to be involved as part of the All Blacks’ squad.
“It’s such a unique tour experience where you can relate them to like a Lions tour,” he told the DSPN podcast with Martin Devlin. “So, for the first time, potentially, I’ll get an opportunity to have, what is it, a seven-week tour?
“And in probably the hardest place to turn up and play rugby in.
‘What a challenge’
“So, it’ll be a great experience for all of those involved. And what a challenge, like even playing the midweek games are going to be tough, tough games playing the provinces.
“We know how proud, how strong South Africans are and (the) South African rugby teams are to play.”
The Springboks have dominated the international game in recent years and apart from back-to-back World Cup triumphs in 2019 and 2023, they also clinched a 2-1 series victory over the British & Irish Lions in 2021, and they won successive Rugby Championship titles in 2024 and 2025.
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Barrett highlighted the Boks’ player depth as one of their key strengths and expects them to be at their best against the All Blacks.
“And then there’s the Springboks. Obviously, they’re the world champions,” he said.
“Talk about depth. They’ve got guys just coming out of their system left, right and centre. So, we’re certainly aware of the challenge ahead.
“But there’s so much excitement around, you know, the opportunity, the challenge. And with the World Cup next year, it’s going to be a great test to see where we’re at, what we need to work on. And again, I just hope to be involved.”
