Percy Montgomery has warned the Springboks against complacency ahead of the historic Greatest Rivalry tour, insisting the All Blacks’ aura remains as dangerous as ever.
New Zealand will tour South Africa later this year in a throwback to the game’s old-school traditions, with warm-up fixtures against local Vodacom URC sides followed by a four-Test series against the Springboks, with the fourth Test at an overseas venue.
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In the two Tests between the sides in New Zealand in 2025, the Boks dismantled the All Blacks 43-10 in Wellington after a narrow 24-17 loss at Eden Park.
While the Boks may be the benchmark, Montgomery says history has shown how quickly the balance can shift, and why underestimating New Zealand would be a costly mistake.
“I’m getting goosebumps when you say that rivalry,” Montgomery told Behind the Ruck podcast. “There’s an aura about the All Blacks, and it’s something we should never forget. I know they’re struggling a bit now, but so did the Springboks before they won the World Cup with Rassie [in 2019].
“We got klapped in New Zealand [in 2017], and we turned it around in a matter of months to go on to win a World Cup. So, anything can happen in rugby, and we all know, we’ve all been there. Complacency is a dangerous word.”
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Montgomery acknowledged that South Africa have surged ahead under Rassie Erasmus after New Zealand’s dominance through the 2000s and 2010s, but stressed that past eras count for little when the two giants collide.
“It’s going to be tough and a great series to watch,” he said. “This is why we play the game: you want to become a Springbok, and you want to play against the All Blacks, No 1 and No 2 [in the world).”
Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour fixtures:
Friday, 7 August: vs Stormers, Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Tuesday, 11 August: vs Sharks, Kings Park, Durban
Saturday, 15 August: vs Bulls, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Saturday, 22 August: vs Springboks, Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Tuesday, 25 August: vs Lions, Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Saturday, 29 August: vs Springboks, Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Saturday, 5 September: vs Springboks, FNB Stadium, Johannesburg
Saturday 12 September: vs Springboks (venue to be announced)
Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry is reignited.
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— SA Rugby magazine (@SARugbymag) October 16, 2025
Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images
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