Stormers say provincial rugby tours at stake in All Blacks clash
Stormers coach John Dobson warns that the future of traditional provincial rugby tours is at risk if South African teams fail to remain competitive against the All Blacks. He cites the poor quality of the 2021 British and Irish Lions tour as a cautionary tale for the sport.
Why it matters
The viability of international rugby tours is being questioned, with stakeholders emphasizing the need for competitive balance to maintain fan interest and commercial value.
<p>The Stormers believe they are playing for the future of traditional rugby tours when they give New Zealand the opening challenge of its South Africa trek early tomorrow. </p> <p>The All Blacks are undertaking their <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/08/03/big-cape-town-welcome-for-all-blacks-annoys-some-boks-fans/" target="_blank">first tour of tests and provincial games in South Africa in 30 years</a>. The Springboks will repay the visit in New Zealand in 2030 and New Zealand will return in 2034.</p> <p>But Stormers coach John Dobson said the provincial games will become insignificant if his team plus the Sharks, the Bulls or Lions do not knock off the All Blacks, or are at least competitive.</p> <p>"When the British and Irish Lions were here in 2021 the situation was far from ideal and the results didn't do justice to the traditional tour concept," Dobson told SuperSport.</p> <p>"Due to it being played during the time of the Covid pandemic, that Lions tour was an unsatisfactory…
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