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 2âÂÂ1 and became known as "the Incomparables" for their feat of winning a series in South Africa for the first time.
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. A full-scale tour between New Zealand and South Africa is scheduled for 2026 called Rugby's Greatest Rivalry.
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 2âÂÂ1.
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