CAPE TOWN, Aug 7, 2026 – New Zealand’s All Blacks secured a 38-21 victory against South Africa’s Stormers in the opening match of their eight-game tour, held at Cape Town Stadium. Despite the win, the All Blacks displayed an unconvincing performance riddled with errors and disciplinary issues.

The Stormers, missing several international players, provided unexpectedly strong resistance and were level with the All Blacks at 14-14 by the 65th minute. However, four late tries by New Zealand helped pull away for the win.

Try scorers for New Zealand included Samisoni Taukei'aho, Simon Parker, Rieko Ioane, Leroy Carter, Josh Moorby, and Asafo Aumua. Beauden Barrett contributed three conversions, with Josh Jacomb adding one. The Stormers’ points came from loose forward Deon Fourie, winger Seabelo Senatla, and a conversion by 20-year-old debutant flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed. Additionally, the Stormers were awarded a penalty try late in the match after Warrick Gelant was tackled high.

The All Blacks started aggressively, with Taukei'aho scoring early from a line-out maul. However, indiscipline led to both Anton Lienert-Brown and Simon Parker being sent to the sin bin by the 15th minute, reducing New Zealand to 13 players temporarily. The Stormers capitalized on this advantage, scoring through Fourie.

Handling errors and seven first-half penalties hindered the All Blacks, but a line break by Ioane set up Parker for a try just before halftime, giving New Zealand a 14-7 lead at the break.

New Zealand coach Dave Rennie acknowledged the tough nature of the game, stating, “We expected it would be a tough game, but we were clinical late in the contest and it’s nice to get the campaign off with a win, but we know we have to be better.”