Springboks v All Blacks at Ellis Park: The stats behind rugby’s greatest rivalry at the iconic ground

The Springboks and All Blacks resume rugby’s greatest rivalry at one of the game’s grandest cathedrals, Ellis Park, on 31 August 2024.

The Rugby Championship clash between South Africa and New Zealand will mark the 16th occasion the two great rugby nations collide at the stadium in Johannesburg, a venue that has staged some of the best moments in the rich history of the rivalry.

History of Springboks v All Blacks at Ellis Park

Ellis Park first played host to the rivalry back in 1928 with over 30,000 fans packing into the ground to witness just the second meeting of the two sides on South African soil – the first happening just nine days prior in Durban.

That match would also be the first time that New Zealand defeated the Springboks in South Africa, clinching a 7-6 victory over their hosts.

The All Blacks would return to the ground 21 years later and this time around, the hosts emerged 12-6 victors thanks to tries from Hannes Brewis and Tjol Lategan.

Over the years Ellis Park has undergone rebuilds and expansions with the biggest crowd reportedly packing into the ground standing at a staggering 75,000. If the reported attendance figures are accurate, the 2024 meeting will see the overall attendance for Springboks versus All Blacks games at the venue surpass the 1 million mark.

Quiz: Can you name every Springboks coach in the professional era?

And boy have these two sides put on a show at the stadia down the years with only a single point separating the nations on average with the hosts shading it 23-22.

South Africa does hold a historical advantage at Ellis Park having won 9 of the 15 previous meetings, which famously includes the 1995 Rugby World Cup final when Joel Stranksy’s extra-time drop goal sealed a maiden title for the Springboks, in their first tournament.

While 1995 remains the Springboks’ most memorable triumph over the All Blacks at Ellis Park, their biggest margin of victory came back in 2004 when Jake White’s charges claimed a 40-26 win with seven tries scored on the day – three of which by Marius Joubert.

Quiz: Can you name the 2007 Rugby World Cup-winning Springboks?

As for the All Blacks, their biggest margin of victory came in their last visit when Ian Foster’s side claimed a 35-23 win over South Africa.

As already mentioned, Springboks and All Blacks Tests at Ellis Park are renowned for producing thrillers and that is highlighted by both sides averaging over two tries per game.

Springboks v All Blacks at Ellis Park stats:

Tests: 15
Springboks wins: 9
All Blacks wins: 6
Springboks tries: 37
All Blacks tries: 34
Springboks average tries per game: 2.5
All Blacks average tries per game: 2.3
Points for the Springboks: 352
Points for the All Blacks: 328
Average score: 23-22
Average attendance: 63,234
All-time attendance: 948,512

Springboks v All Blacks results at Ellis Park:

21 Jul 1928: Springboks 6-7 All Blacks – 38,000 attendance
13 Aug 1949: Springboks 12-6 All Blacks – 71,000 attendance
25 Jun 1960: Springboks 13-0 All Blacks – 75,000 attendance
12 Sep 1970: Springboks 20-17 All Blacks – 65,000 attendance
18 Sep 1976: Springboks 15-14 All Blacks – 75,000 attendance
15 Aug 1992: Springboks 24-27 All Blacks – 72,000 attendance
24 Jun 1995: Springboks 15-12 All Blacks – 62,000 attendance
31 Aug 1996: Springboks 32-22 All Blacks – 63,000 attendance
19 Jul 1997: Springboks 32-35 All Blacks – 59,737 attendance
19 Aug 2000: Springboks 46-40 All Blacks – 57,250 attendance
14 Aug 2004: Springboks 40-23 All Blacks – 62,857 attendance
05 Oct 2013: Springboks 27-38 All Blacks – 63,888 attendance
04 Oct 2014: Springboks 27-25 All Blacks – 61,261 attendance
25 Jul 2015: Springboks 20-27 All Blacks – 61,000 attendance
13 Aug 2022: Springboks 23-35 All Blacks – 61,519 attendance

READ MORE: In numbers: The All Blacks’ INSANE 50 game unbeaten run at Eden Park since 1994