This week marks the start of one of the most anticipated rugby tours in years, with New Zealand touring South Africa in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.
It all kicks off in Cape Town this Friday as New Zealand take on the Stormers in the opening game of the tour, and the home side will be in for a huge test against a full-strength New Zealand outfit making their first appearance of the trip.
We look at the match betting and offer up a play for your consideration.
Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry
Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry is a first-of-its-kind tour in modern times that sees New Zealand take on the four top South African franchise sides as well as playing a four-Test series against South Africa. Three of those Tests will be played on South African soil, with the last of them being played in the USA. The first Test is scheduled for the 22nd of August.
South Africa are 1.36, the draw 3.75 and New Zealand 9.50 to win the series – click here to bet
Stormers
The Stormers are returning for their first game since last season’s URC, where they were knocked out by Leinster in the semi-finals. Their season got off to a strong start with a 10-game winning streak, but some crucial losses in the closing stages of the tournament meant they fell short of a second URC title. The franchise is also competing in the Currie Cup this year, where some of their URC players are taking part, and they have pulled off two wins in their three games of that competition so far.
It must also be taken into consideration that a number of top Stormers players are away on International duty this weekend representing South Africa. They have still named a solid side, but there are a number of top-class players missing from their usual line-up.
Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel (captain), 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Yaqeen Ahmed, 9 Imad Khan, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Hacjivah Dayimani, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Connor Evans, 4 Adré Smith, 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Vernon Matongo.
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotzé, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Ruan Ackermann, 20 Keke Morabe, 21 Wandile Mlaba, 22 Dewaldt Duvenage, 23 Wandisile Simelane.
New Zealand
New Zealand head into the first game of the tour off the back of a perfect July series, going three from three in their matches against the Northern-hemisphere sides. Their opening match saw them host France, where they pulled off a narrow win, edging the match 34-32. They then dismantled Italy, winning 47-17, and followed that up with a superb win against Ireland at Eden Park last time out.
New Zealand have spared no expense when choosing their side for the first game of the tour as they look to get off to a strong start. They have gone for a mixture of experience and youth across their 23-man squad, with Patrick Tuipulotu captaining the side in the number five jersey and Beauden Barrett tasked with dictating the game from number 10.
New Zealand: 15 Josh Moorby, 14 Leroy Carter, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Anton Leinert-Brown, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Peter Lakai, 7 Anton Segner, 6 Simon Parker, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu, 4 Fabian Holland, 3 Pasilio Tosi, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 George Bower.
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Ollie Norris, 18 Siale Lauaki, 19 Sam Darry, 20 Ethan Blackadder, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Josh Jacomb, 23 Caleb Clarke
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Betting and Verdict
Stormers 16.00
Draw 51.00
New Zealand 1.003
New Zealand have named a top-quality side and are coming into this game off the back of three brilliant wins in the Nations Championship. The Stormers, on the other hand, are mid-pre-season and are missing a number of top players who are away on International duty, while a number of others have Currie Cup commitments. For this reason, we think we will see New Zealand kick off their Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour with a big win over the Stormers, comfortably covering the handicap.
Suggested bet: New Zealand -32.5 at 1.87
It is difficult to know exactly what type of game we will have on Friday evening between two sides who have never met before, but one thing we are confident of is that it will be a high-scoring affair. Looking back at the 2025 Lions Tour of Australia, when top International sides play local club sides, the total points are normally massive. This will also be the first time New Zealand play a South African club side, and we know how the All Blacks can pile up points against even the best International opposition. For this reason, we think we will have a very high-scoring game this Friday evening.
Suggested bet: Total points over 65.5 at 1.83
Click here for betting on Stormers v New Zealand match
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
