There are stadiums, and then there’s Eden Park. A concrete cathedral in Auckland where rugby history isn’t just written, it’s engraved in blood, sweat, and the occasional desperate clearance kick. If you’re a Springbok fan, Eden Park is the nightmare you keep having but can’t quite wake up from. If you’re an All Black supporter, it’s your family’s favourite holiday home — cosy, familiar, and virtually untouchable.
As we roll into Springboks vs All Blacks, 6 September 2025, let’s set the record straight: this isn’t just another Rugby Championship clash. This is another chance for South Africa to storm a fortress they haven’t conquered in nearly nine decades. That’s not hyperbole. That’s fact.
The Record: Eden Park Belongs To New Zealand
The All Blacks’ last loss at Eden Park wasn’t to the Boks. Wasn’t to Australia. Wasn’t to anyone Southern Hemisphere. It was to France, way back in July 1994. That’s right, when the world was grooving to Ace of Base and Nelson Mandela had just been elected president, France beat New Zealand 23–20 in Auckland. Since then? Nothing. Not one single defeat.
The All Blacks have now gone 31 years unbeaten at Eden Park — a streak of 48 wins and 2 draws (NZ Herald, Planet Rugby). Let that sink in. Generations of players have come and gone, Springboks included, but Eden Park remains a fortress.
And when it comes to South Africa specifically? The Boks have played the All Blacks at Eden Park 10 times. They’ve won twice (1921 and 1937), drawn once (1994), and lost the rest (NZ Herald). That’s right – the last time the Boks left Eden Park victorious, gas was rationed because of World War II.
The Rivalry: A Century of Bruises
The All Blacks vs Springboks fixture is rugby’s great global rivalry. Forget England vs France. Forget Australia’s attempts at relevance. Since 1921, these two have smashed into each other 108 times. The All Blacks lead with 62 wins, the Boks have 42, and there have been 4 draws.
But rugby isn’t just about numbers. It’s about the bruises, the grudges, and the legends created along the way. Dan Carter sits at the top of the points pile in this rivalry, racking up 221 points against the Boks. Christian Cullen? He scored 10 tries against them, more than anyone else.
And then there’s Victor Matfield, the most-capped player in this fixture with 29 tests against New Zealand.
The Wider Picture: Tests in New Zealand
As of September 2025, the All Blacks and the Springboks have faced each other in 46 Test matches on New Zealand soil. New Zealand has secured 33 victories, South Africa has won 10 times, and there have been 3 draws (Wikipedia).
Notably, the Springboks’ only series win in New Zealand came in 1937, when they won 2 out of 3 Tests. Since then? Well, the All Blacks have kept a vice-like grip on home soil.
The Biggest Blowouts and Tightest Thrillers
South Africa fans don’t need reminding, but here it is anyway: the All Blacks’ biggest-ever win against the Boks came in Albany, 2017. Final score? 57–0. That wasn’t a rugby test, that was a televised execution.
But the rivalry isn’t all hammerings. At the Rugby World Cup 2023 in the final that was hosted in Paris, South Africa snatched a dramatic 12–11 win. This was the closest finish EVER between both rivals, the kind of test where fingernails get chewed, remote controls get thrown, and referees get sworn at in multiple languages.
Why This Matters
Here’s the thing: rugby history is unfolding in real time. South Africa are the reigning four-time Rugby World Cup champions, the only nation with that many titles. The All Blacks sit just behind with three. When these two meet, it’s more than a game. It’s a rolling argument about who really owns the soul of rugby.
For the Springboks, winning at Eden Park would be more than a victory. It would be an exorcism. For the All Blacks, another win would extend a streak that’s already borderline absurd. Imagine going your entire career — 50 test caps or more — and never losing at your home ground. That’s the Eden Park effect.
Final Whistle
So here we are. Eden Park. 2025. All Blacks vs Springboks. History dripping off the walls like condensation in a packed pub. The Springboks want to write a new chapter. The All Blacks want to make sure it’s the same story it’s always been.
Whatever happens, one thing’s guaranteed: bruises, drama, and a reminder that in rugby, some rivalries are bigger than the game itself.
Until South Africa finally crack Eden Park again, we’ll keep asking the same question before every test: is this the one?
