Free Day Pass to Kick Off Sky’s “Greatest Rivalry” Coverage

With just over a week to go until Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tour gets underway, Sky has confirmed its coverage plans for one of the most significant All Blacks campaigns in a generation, the team’s first tour to South Africa in thirty years.

Extensive live coverage of all matches, including four Tests, will be shown on Sky and Sky Sport Now, along with highlights, replays and on-demand coverage to ensure Kiwi rugby fans can enjoy every moment of the tour.

Sky will have boots on the ground throughout the tour, with Jeff McTainsh and Justin Marshall calling the opening three tour matches from South Africa.

From the Test matches onwards, Jeff Wilson will join the commentary team, with both Marshall and Wilson bringing added perspective as members of the All Blacks squad that last toured South Africa in 1996.

Marcus Kennedy, Sky’s Executive Producer – Rugby Union, said the tour demanded a coverage plan that matched its scale and history.

“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.”

Sky Sport’s live match coverage will be supported by studio-based wraparound programming, including 30-minute build-ups for tour matches and extended 60-minute build-ups for the Tests, plus post-match reaction and analysis across the tour.

The studio coverage will feature an ensemble of Sky rugby experts and presenters including Mils Muliaina, Christian Cullen, James Parsons, Kirstie Stanway and Laura McGoldrick, alongside a rotating line-up of special guests throughout the tour including Angus Ta’avao, Stephen Donald, Aaron Cruden and Brad Weber.

Portia Woodman-Wickliffe and Michaela Brake will also be part of Sky’s coverage for the Black Ferns Test against South Africa Women. Former All Black Lima Sopoaga will be on the ground in South Africa contributing to Sky’s social media coverage and bringing fans closer to the tour atmosphere.

Supporting shows Crowd Goes Wild and The Breakdown will feature content from South Africa throughout the tour.The Breakdown will also deliver a special preview show each Friday at 9pm ahead of the Tests, setting up the biggest storylines before kick-off.

Following the success of the Nations Championships home tests being broadcast on Three and ThreeNow, Sky is today confirming that free coverage of every All Blacks match and Test for the remainder of the 2026 season will be available to watch delayed on Three & ThreeNow.

Sky is also confirming that all 2026 Black Ferns matches will be available on Three, which includes their test against South Africa Women on Saturday 5 September.

To mark the significance of this historic tour, New Zealand Rugby and Sky Sport Now have partnered to allow fans to stream the opening match of the tour (All Blacks v Stormers) live and free.

From 1 August, fans will be able to register for a free Sky Sport Now day pass for Saturday 8th August to watch the All Blacks launch their Greatest Rivalry campaign against the Stormers.

“Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry is built on history, intensity and unforgettable moments,” Kennedy said.

“Whether fans are watching live on Sky Sport, catching up over breakfast on Sky on demand, watching the free coverage on Three, following our social channels, or tuning into our weekly shows, we want them to feel connected to every part of this tour.”