# 1996 New Zealand rugby union tour of South Africa

The 1996 New Zealand rugby union tour of South Africa was a historic tour in the history of New Zealand rugby. The All Blacks won the test series 2–1 and became known as "the Incomparables" for their feat of winning a series in South Africa for the first time.

## Background

The rivalry between New Zealand and South Africa had begun in 1921. This history included the controversial 1981 tour. The All Blacks had never beaten South Africa in a test series in South Africa. All Black sides of 1928, 1949, 1960, 1970 and 1976 had all failed to beat South Africa away from home. 1996 was the year professionalism was introduced into rugby union meaning the creation of the new Tri nations and Super 12. As of 2021 no further full-scale tours have occurred between New Zealand and South Africa.

## The Tour

New Zealand and South Africa played four test matches; the first was the final match of the 1996 Tri Nations Series. The next three was for the test series which the All Blacks won 2–1.

### 1st Test

* 17 August 1996
| South Africa | 19–23 | New Zealand |
| Try: D. van Schalkwyk Con: Stransky Pen: Stransky (4) | | Try: Brooke Cullen Wilson Con: Culhane Pen: Culhane (2) |
* King's Park, Durban Attendance: 52,000 Referee: D. Mene (France)

### 2nd Test

* 24 August 1996
| South Africa | 26–33 | New Zealand |
| Try: Kruger Strydom van der Westhuizen Con: Stransky Pen: Stransky (3) | | Try: Brooke Wilson (2) Con: Culhane (3) Pen: Culhane (2) Preston (2) Drop: Brooke |
* Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria Attendance: 51,000 Referee: D. Mene (France)

### 3rd Test

* 31 August 1996
| South Africa | 32–22 | New Zealand |
| Try: Joubert van der Westhuizen (2) Con: Honiball Pen: Honiball (2) Joubert (3) | | Try: Fitzpatrick Little Marshall Con: Merthens (2) Pen: Merthens |
* Ellis Park, Johannesburg Attendance: 63,000 Referee: W. D. Bevan (Wales)

## Matches

    Scores and results list New Zealand's points tally first.
| Opponent | For | Against | Date | Venue | Status |
| Boland Invitation XV | 32 | 21 | 6 August 1996 | Esselen Park, Worcester | Tour Match |
| South Africa | 29 | 18 | 10 August 1996 | Newlands, Cape Town | Tri Nations |
| Eastern Province | 31 | 23 | 13 August 1996 | Boet Erasmus Stadium, Port Elizabeth | Tour Match |
| South Africa | 23 | 19 | 17 August 1996 | King's Park, Durban | Test Match |
| Western Transvaal | 31 | 0 | 20 August 1996 | Olën Park, Potchefstroom | Tour Match |
| South Africa | 33 | 26 | 24 August 1996 | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria | Test Match |
| Griqualand West | 18 | 18 | 27 August 1996 | Hoffe Park, Kimberley | Tour Match |
| South Africa | 22 | 32 | 31 August 1996 | Ellis Park, Johannesburg | Test Match |

## The squad

1. S.D. Culhane 2. J.P. Preston 3. M.J. A. Cooper 4. J.W. Wilson 5. Z.V. Brooke 6. S.J. McLeod 7. O.F. J. Tonu'u 8. A.P. Mehrtens 9. A.F. Blowers 10. C.M. Cullen 11. S.B. T. Fitzpatrick 12. A. Ieremia 13. B.P. Larsen 14. W.K. Little 15. J.T. Lomu 16. J.W. Marshall 17. G.M. Osborne 18. E.J. Rush 19. C.J. Spencer 20. M.R. Allen 21. C.K. Barrell 22. T.J. Blackadder 23. R.M. Brooke 24. O.M. Brown 25. F.E. Bunce 26. P.H. Coffin 27. C.S. Davis 28. C.W. Dowd 29. N.J. Hewitt 30. I.D. Jones 31. M.N. Jones 32. J.A. Kronfeld 33. J.T. F. Matson 34. A.D. Oliver 35. T.C. Randell 36. G.L. Taylor