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'More than the rugby': Springboks great on how All Blacks tour has South Africa buzzing
Sport Nation • August 5th, 2026 1:13 pm
All Blacks' Richie McCaw congratulates Springboks' Jean de Villiers on his 100th test cap | Photo: Photosport
Jean de Villiers knows what this rivalry means.
The former Springboks captain went toe-to-toe with the All Blacks throughout his 109-test career, but says New Zealand’s return to South Africa is about far more than another run of fixtures.
“We are unbelievably excited for this whole tour,” de Villiers told Sport Nation’s Scotty & Izzy.
“South Africa is absolutely buzzing in terms of just having the All Blacks over again.”
Scotty's fear for the All Blacks' Tour of South Africa | Scotty & Izzy
For de Villiers, Springbok rugby has always been bigger than the scoreboard, and the passion remains as fierce as ever.
“The thing about Springbok rugby is that, since I can remember, it’s always been more than the rugby,” he said.
“It’s not just scoring more points than the opposition. It’s winning in a different way and the effect that it has had on South Africa as a country, it really has been huge.”
That is why de Villiers wants both sides firing from the start, whether the All Blacks are facing a franchise team or the Springboks themselves.
“You want the All Blacks to be at their best every single game and you want the opposition to be at their best,” he said.
“That is why it is the greatest rivalry. We’re going to see some fantastic rugby and some great matchups.”
Listen to the full interview below:
