All Blacks Star Shows South Africa Some Love Ahead of ‘Greatest Rivalry’ Clash With Springboks

• All Blacks captain Ardie Savea posted a TikTok video responding to a question about facing the Springboks on South African soil
• The New Zealand rugby star's video featured South Africa's unofficial anthem Sister Bethina, packed stadiums and passionate supporters
• The All Blacks and Springboks are set to face each other in four Test matches starting 22 August, 2026

All Blacks captain Ardie Savea has given rugby fans a candid look at how he feels about stepping onto South African turf to face the Springboks, sharing his thoughts in a TikTok video that has drawn widespread attention.

Savea, who was appointed to lead the New Zealand squad in June, did not shy away from acknowledging the intensity of playing in South Africa.

"It's tough. It's one of the hardest places to play," he said in the video, before adding: "The more pressure there is, the better you can push yourself past your limits. So I love the pressure."

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Savea's tribute to South African rugby culture

The TikTok clip was laced with imagery that resonated deeply with local supporters, incorporating South Africa's unofficial rugby anthem, Sister Bethina, footage of sold-out stadiums, and scenes of passionate fans in full voice.

Savea signed off with a message in the comments section: "See you soon, fam."

The video reflects a genuine affection Savea holds for South African rugby, one that is closely tied to his well-documented friendship with Springboks captain Siya Kolisi. The two players, despite representing rival nations, have spoken openly about the bond they share, with Savea referring to Kolisi as a "brother."

Savea and Kolisi's friendship off the pitch

The friendship has not dulled Savea's competitive edge. He has previously addressed how the personal relationship plays out during matches, saying: "I always try to smash Siya because he is a good mate of mine." It is the kind of rivalry built on mutual respect, as much as on ambition.

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The two rugby giants are set to meet across four Test fixtures in the coming weeks. The series begins on 22 August at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, followed by a match at DHL Stadium in Cape Town on 29 August.

The teams then return to Johannesburg's FNB Stadium on 5 September before concluding the series at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, USA, on 12 September.

Erasmus’ heart rate spikes during Argentina thriller

Briefly News previously reported that Rassie Erasmus revealed just how tense the Springboks’ 17-10 victory over Argentina became from inside the coaches’ box. The Bok boss shared a glimpse of his heart rate data after the match.

The revelation came as Erasmus and his team quickly turned their attention to the All Blacks and the upcoming Greatest Rivalry Series, with the first Test scheduled for 22 August.

Source: Briefly News