Can the Springboks end the All Blacks Eden Park dominance?

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 01 Sep 2025

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Ralph Staniforth 01 Sep 2025

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All Blacks have 50-match unbeaten run at Eden Park, last defeated in 1994.
Springboks last won there in 1937; both teams are world’s top 2 but under pressure.
Historic rivalry reaches new heights with stakes high for a record-breaking moment.

South Africa vs New Zealand 2024 rugby championship

Eden Park record on the line for the All Blacks (Getty Images)

Eden Park - the All Blacks fortress. 50 matches unbeaten. Two draws. Last defeat - 1994. Opposition - France. Last Springbok win at Eden Park - 1937.

The big question for this weekend - can South Africa end the era of All Blacks dominance at the hallowed Eden Park?

Well, the answer to that question will only be answered at around 11:00am (SAST) on Saturday morning. The build-up to this game is akin to that of the 2023 World Cup final. Tony Brown, former All Black and current attacking coach of South Africa said as much just a few days ago in a press conference.

Rugby Union is in a fantastic state at the moment in terms of competitiveness. While there have always been 8-10 strong sides, it very much feels like, at least among the top 8-10 at the moment, that anyone can beat anyone - new rivalries has formed in recent years, but despite that, despite the history of the Bledisloe Cup, few would argue that the All Blacks vs Springboks remains the biggest rivalry of them all.

This fixture is steeped in history, magical moments, controversy that shook, not only the sport, but way beyond - remember The Flower Bomb test match of 1981? Quite fittingly, that match was also played at Eden Park.

It doesn't matter where these two sides clash, whether it be the Stade de France, Newlands, Twickenham, Ellis Park or Eden Park - heads turn to watch when the black and green jerseys clash between the four lines.

This weekend is extra special though. Neither side is at the top of their game, yet they remain one and two in the world...for now. Both are under pressure to get a result, and the hosts have the extra hype of defending their 50-match unbeaten run.

New Zealand have been the dominant side in world rugby since the game turned professional in the 90s. There sure has been spurts of other nations, particularly South Africa, who has taken that mantle, but the All Blacks have been ever-present at or around the top, seldom dropping below utter dominance for more than a season.

But they come into this game on a four-match losing streak to South Africa. It is true that none of those four victories have been in New Zealand, but it remains four defeats on the trot to the Springboks.

South Africa, however, have not won at Eden Park since 1937. In fact, New Zealand's last defeat in 1994 came against France. Later that same year they faced the Springboks at Eden Park, a game that ended 18-18 and was the first match of the 50-unbeaten run.

That's not to say teams haven't come close, but in their four Eden Park visits since 1994, the Springboks have not come within 11 points.

The closest New Zealand have come to defeat in this 50-match winning streak was in the 2011 Rugby World Cup final when they narrowly escaped with an 8-7 victory against France.

Here is the thing, though - all records must, and generally do, come to a crashing end at some point. It may not be this weekend, it may be another 10 years, but the Springboks have never had a better chance than now.

Sometimes it comes as a shock when these records are ended - remember Wayne Rooney's strike in 2002 for Everton to end Arsenal's 30-match unbeaten run? This may not come as quite a big a surprise if the Springboks pull it off, but it will still leave a lasting impression on anyone at or watching the game on tv.

One thing is sure, regardless of the form of these sides going into this game, both will come out with an extra bit of motivation. Neither side will hold back in their attempts to make history. The world will be watching, and they are in for a spectacle, regardless of which way it goes.