The City of Johannesburg, together with the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) and Ellis Park Stadium Management, says it is ready to host the highly anticipated Springboks versus New Zealand All Blacks Test at Ellis Park Stadium on Saturday.
The match will be the opening Test of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, a four-Test series between South Africa and New Zealand. The series marks the All Blacks’ first full-scale tour of South Africa in 30 years, with subsequent Tests scheduled for Cape Town, Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium and Baltimore in the United States.
The rivalry between the Springboks and All Blacks is one of rugby’s most celebrated, with the two sides having produced several memorable encounters over the years. The Springboks won their most recent meeting at Ellis Park in 2024, beating New Zealand 31-27.
The All Blacks arrive in Johannesburg after a strong start to their South African tour, having beaten the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls in their provincial matches. Their 50-19 victory over the Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday was their latest statement ahead of the first Test.
For the Springboks, the match will be their first Test against the All Blacks since their 2025 Rugby Championship encounters. South Africa are also the reigning Rugby World Cup champions after defeating New Zealand in the 2023 final.
Johannesburg Executive Mayor Dada Morero will oversee the city’s service delivery preparations ahead of the match, including the train experience for spectators travelling from PRASA’s Park Station to Ellis Park Stadium.
The city says hosting major sporting events provides an opportunity to showcase Johannesburg’s infrastructure and operational readiness, while boosting economic activity and reinforcing the city’s position as a leading destination for major international events.
Preparations will include a media blitz involving the City, PRASA and Ellis Park Stadium Management, highlighting the arrangements in place for match-day spectators.
With thousands of rugby supporters expected in Johannesburg, transport, safety and service delivery will be key to ensuring a smooth match-day experience.
