1996 New Zealand rugby union tour of South Africa

The 1996 New Zealand rugby union tour of South Africa was a historic tour in the history of New Zealand rugby. The All Blacks won the test series 2–1 and became known as the incomparables for their feat of winning a series in South Africa for the first time.

1996 New Zealand rugby union tour of South Africa
Coach(es)	J Hart
Tour captain(s)	Sean Fitzpatrick
Summary	P W D L
Total	08 06 01 01
Test match	04 03 00 01
Opponent	P W D L
South Africa	3 2 0 1

The Rivalry

The Springboks and the All Blacks have been typically regarded by many as the two greatest rugby playing nations of all time.[1] New Zealand and South Africa had clashed in many tours over time which had been hotly contested. This included the controversial 1981 tour. The All Blacks had never beaten South Africa in a full-scale test series in South Africa. This was seen as the only blemish on the All Blacks record. All Black sides of 1928, 1949, 1960, 1970 and 1976 had all failed to beat South Africa away from home. The rivalry has always been hotly contested. 1996 was the year professionalism was introduced into rugby union meaning the creation of the new Tri nations and Super 12. As of 2015 no further full-scale tours have occurred between New Zealand and South Africa.

More recently the All Blacks had clashed with South Africa in the 1995 Rugby World Cup Final. The All Blacks lost that match but coming into this tour they had won the 1996 Tri Nations Series in the process beating South Africa twice.

The Tour

The All Blacks and South Africa played four test matches; the first was the final match of the 1996 Tri Nations Series. The next three was for the test series which the All Blacks won 2–1.

1st Test

17 August 1996

New Zealand	23–19	South Africa
Tries: Brooke Cullen Wilson Con: Culhane Pen: Culhane (2)		Tries: D. van Schalkwyk Con: Stransky Pen: Stransky (4)

King's Park, Durban Attendance: 52,000[2] Referee: D. Mene (France)

2nd Test

24 August 1996

New Zealand	33–26	South Africa
Tries: Brooke Wilson (2) Con: Culhane (3) Pen: Culhane (2) Jon Preston (2) DG: Brooke		Tries: Kruger Strydom van der Westhuizen Con: Stransky Pen: Stransky (3)

Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria Attendance: 51,000[3] Referee: D. Mene (France)

3rd Test

31 August 1996

New Zealand	22–32	South Africa
Tries: Fitzpatrick Little Marshall Con: Merthens (2) Pen: Merthens		Tries: Joubert van der Westhuizen (2) Con: Honiball Pen: Honiball (2) Joubert (3)

Ellis Park, Johannesburg Attendance: 63,000[4] Referee: W. D. Bevan (Wales)

Matches

Scores and results list New Zealand's points tally first.

Opposing Team	For	Against	Date	Venue	Status
Boland Invitation XV	32	21	6 August 1996	Esselen Park, Worcester	Tour Match
South Africa	29	18	10 August 1996	Newlands, Cape Town	Tri Nations
Eastern Province	31	23	13 August 1996	Boet Erasmus Stadium, Port Elizabeth	Tour Match
South Africa	23	19	17 August 1996	King's Park, Durban	Test Match
Western Transvaal	31	0	20 August 1996	Olën Park, Potchefstroom	Tour Match
South Africa	33	26	24 August 1996	Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria	Test Match
Griqualand West	18	18	27 August 1996	Hoffe Park, Kimberley	Tour Match
South Africa	22	32	31 August 1996	Ellis Park, Johannesburg	Test Match

[5]

The squad

1. S.D. Culhane 2. J.P. Preston 3. M.J. A. Cooper 4. J.W. Wilson 5. Z.V. Brooke 6. S.J. McLeod 7. O.F. J. Tonu'u 8. A.P. Mehrtens 9. A.F. Blowers 10. C.M. Cullen 11. S.B. T. Fitzpatrick 12. A. Ieremia 13. B.P. Larsen 14. W.K. Little 15. J.T. Lomu 16. J.W. Marshall 17. G.M. Osborne 18. E.J. Rush 19. C.J. Spencer 20. M.R. Allen 21. C.K. Barrell 22. T.J. Blackadder 23. R.M. Brooke 24. O.M. Brown 25. F.E. Bunce 26. P.H. Coffin 27. C.S. Davis 28. C.W. Dowd 29. N.J. Hewitt 30. I.D. Jones 31. M.N. Jones 32. J.A. Kronfeld 33. J.T. F. Matson 34. A.D. Oliver 35. T.C. Randell 36. G.L. Taylor[6]

See also

• History of rugby union matches between New Zealand and South Africa

References

1. http://www.sportingo.com/rugby-union/a8974_worlds-greatest-rugby-nation-its-all-black-white-despite-south-african-australian-claims
2. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2 June 2010. Retrieved 28 March 2011.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2 June 2010. Retrieved 28 March 2011.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2 June 2010. Retrieved 28 March 2011.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
5. Mick Cleary and John Griffiths, ed. (1997). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1997–98. London: Headline Book Publishing. ISBN 0 7472 7732 X.
6. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 27 September 2012. Retrieved 28 March 2011.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)