Springboks and All Blacks set for four-Test rugby series

Springbok legend Victor Matfield has stated his belief that the current South Africa team is the "greatest we have ever had." The series will feature matches in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Baltimore in the United States. Both teams have a strong history, with South Africa winning the last two Rugby World Cups and New Zealand winning the two before that.

Together, they have secured seven of the 10 global tournaments. New Zealand leads the overall head-to-head record with 63 wins to South Africa's 43, with four draws from 110 Tests. Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus admitted to being nervous about the series, emphasizing the importance of winning the first match.

Pieter-Steph du Toit, World Rugby Player of the Year, will captain the Springboks as regular captain Siya Kolisi recovers from a hamstring injury. New Zealand head coach Dave Rennie, who took over in March, acknowledged his team is on a steep learning curve. The series is being marketed as the "Greatest Rivalry" and will feature a unique trophy that can be split and shared if the series ends in a draw.