Stormers v All Blacks: How to watch New Zealand’s first tour match for free
The All Blacks players before a haka in 2026 Nations Championship
The All Blacks’ Greatest Rivalry Series opener against the Stormers will be available to watch for free in New Zealand, New Zealand Rugby (NZR) have confirmed.
The announcement comes as New Zealand’s host broadcaster, Sky Sports NZ, have firmed up their coverage plans ahead of the eagerly anticipated tour, which will see the All Blacks tour South Africa for the first time in 30 years.
Jeff Wilson and Justin Marshall will commentate on the four Tests against the Springboks, while Marshall will join Jeff McTainsh for the opening three tour fixtures. Lima Sopoaga will be part of Sky Sport’s social media coverage.
Portia Woodman-Wickliffe and Michaela Brake will also be part of Sky Sport’s coverage of the Black Ferns’ Test against the Springbok Women on Saturday, September 5.
All Blacks v Stormers made free-to-air as NZR confirm streaming details
To mark the start of the series and the wider significance of the tour, NZR and Sky Sport have partnered to make the opening fixture in Cape Town free to watch, via a Sky Sport Now day pass at skysportnow.co.nz. Fans will then be taken to the checkout, with the day pass valued at $0.
New Sky Sport Now users will be required to create a free account at checkout.
Commenting on the upcoming series, Marcus Kennedy, Sky’s executive producer, Rugby Union, said: “This is the tour New Zealand rugby fans have been waiting for.
“The All Blacks going back to South Africa for a full tour for the first time since 1996 is a huge moment.
“We want our coverage to reflect that, live from the ground, on the road with the team, and with great rugby analysis in studio, across every Sky platform where fans follow the game.”
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Elsewhere, the broadcaster have also confirmed every All Blacks match and Test across the rest of the 2026 season will be available to watch delayed on Three and ThreeNow.
Every Black Ferns match will also be available to watch on Three, including the aforementioned Test v South Africa.
Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Series in full
Stormers v New Zealand
Date: Friday, 7 August 2026
Venue: DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 19:00 (local SAST), 18:00 (UK), 19:00 (France), 03:00 (8 August, AEST), 05:00 (8 August, New Zealand), 14:00 (Argentina), 02:00 (8 August, JST), 13:00 (EDT)
Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU)
Assistant Referees: Matthew Carley (RFU) and Hollie Davidson (SRU)
TMO: Andrew Jackson (RFU)
FPRO: Mike Adamson (SRU)
Broadcasters: SuperSport (South Africa), Sky Sports (New Zealand/UK), Stan Sport/Nine Sport (Australia), RugbyPass TV (USA), WOWWOW (Japan)
Sharks v New Zealand
Date: Tuesday, 11 August 2026
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 19:00 (local SAST), 18:00 (UK), 19:00 (France), 03:00 (12 August, AEST), 05:00 (12 August, New Zealand), 14:00 (Argentina), 02:00 (12 August, JST), 13:00 (EDT)
Referee: Matthew Carley (RFU)
Assistant Referees: Karl Dickson (RFU) and Hollie Davidson (SRU)
TMO: Mike Adamson (SRU)
FPRO: Andrew Jackson (RFU)
Broadcasters: SuperSport (South Africa), Sky Sports (New Zealand/UK), Stan Sport/Nine Sport (Australia), RugbyPass TV (USA), WOWWOW (Japan)
Bulls v New Zealand
Date: Saturday, 15 August 2026
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 19:00 (local SAST), 18:00 (UK), 19:00 (France), 03:00 (16 August, AEST), 05:00 (16 August, New Zealand), 14:00 (Argentina), 02:00 (16 August, JST), 13:00 (EDT)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (GRU)
Assistant Referees: Karl Dickson (RFU) and Matthew Carley (RFU)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR) FPRO: Mike Adamson (SRU)
Broadcasters: SuperSport (South Africa), Sky Sports (New Zealand/UK), Stan Sport/Nine Sport (Australia), RugbyPass TV (USA), WOWWOW (Japan)
South Africa v New Zealand
Date: Saturday, 22 August 2026
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 17:10 (local SAST), 16:10 (UK), 17:10 (France), 01:10 (23 August, AEST), 03:10 (23 August, New Zealand), 12:10 (Argentina), 00:10 (23 August, JST), 11:10 (EDT)
Referee: Matthew Carley (RFU)
Assistant Referees: Karl Dickson (RFU) and Nika Amashukeli (GRU)
TMO: Mike Adamson (SRU)
FPRO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
Broadcasters: SuperSport (South Africa), Sky Sports (New Zealand/UK), Stan Sport/Nine Sport (Australia), RugbyPass TV (USA), WOWWOW (Japan)
Lions v New Zealand
Date: Tuesday, 25 August 2026
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 19:00 (local SAST), 18:00 (UK), 19:00 (France), 03:00 (26 August, AEST), 05:00 (26 August, New Zealand), 14:00 (Argentina), 02:00 (26 August, JST), 13:00 (EDT)
Referee: Angus Gardner (RA)
Assistant Referees: Karl Dickson (RFU) and Nika Amashukeli (GRU)
TMO: Brett Cronan (RA)
FPRO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
Broadcasters: SuperSport (South Africa), Sky Sports (New Zealand/UK), Stan Sport/Nine Sport (Australia), RugbyPass TV (USA), WOWWOW (Japan)
South Africa v New Zealand
Date: Saturday, 29 August 2026
Venue: DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 17:10 (local SAST), 16:10 (UK), 17:10 (France), 01:10 (30 August, AEST), 03:10 (30 August, New Zealand), 12:10 (Argentina), 00:10 (30 August, JST), 11:10 (EDT)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (GRU)
Assistant Referees: Karl Dickson (RFU) and Angus Gardner (RA)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
FPRO: Brett Cronan (RA)
Broadcasters: SuperSport (South Africa), Sky Sports (New Zealand/UK), Stan Sport/Nine Sport (Australia), RugbyPass TV (USA), WOWWOW (Japan)
South Africa v New Zealand
Date: Saturday, 5 September 2026
Venue: FNB Stadium, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 17:10 (local SAST), 16:10 (UK), 17:10 (France), 01:10 (6 September, AEST), 03:10 (6 September, New Zealand), 12:10 (Argentina), 00:10 (6 September, JST), 11:10 (EDT)
Referee: Angus Gardner (RA)
Assistant Referees: Nika Amashukeli (GRU) and Christophe Ridley (RFU)
TMO: Brett Cronan (RA)
FPRO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
Broadcasters: SuperSport (South Africa), Sky Sports (New Zealand/UK), Stan Sport/Nine Sport (Australia), RugbyPass TV (USA), WOWWOW (Japan)
South Africa v New Zealand
Date: Saturday, 12 September 2026
Venue: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, USA
Kick-off: 17:00 (local EDT), 22:00 (UK), 23:00 (France), 23:00 (South Africa), 07:00 (13 September, AEST), 09:00 (13 September, New Zealand), 18:00 (Argentina), 06:00 (13 September, JST), 17:00 (EDT)
Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU)
Assistant Referees: Matthew Carley (RFU) and Christophe Ridley (RFU)
TMO: Andrew Jackson (RFU)
FPRO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)
Broadcasters: SuperSport (South Africa), Sky Sports (New Zealand/UK), Stan Sport/Nine Sport (Australia), RugbyPass TV (USA), WOWWOW (Japan)
READ MORE: Sir Steve Hansen: Springboks v All Blacks was a ‘key’ reason why neutral referees were brought in