The 2023 Rugby World Cup final showcased an intense battle between South Africa and New Zealand, with the Springboks narrowly claiming victory by just one point. This triumph marked South Africa's historic achievement as the first nation to win the tournament four times.

Currently, the Springboks sit atop the world rankings and have secured back-to-back Rugby Championships, solidifying their status as the dominant force in rugby. In contrast, the All Blacks, previous champions of back-to-back World Cups in 2011 and 2015, still hold their reputation as the most glamorous team in the sport.

As part of this rivalry, a unique multi-week tour is set to unfold, featuring a proper Test series. The Rugby Championship has been canceled this year to facilitate the All Blacks' tour of South Africa, leading to Australia and Argentina arranging their own matches.

The first Test kicks off on Saturday, with new coach Dave Rennie leading New Zealand into a three-Test series in South Africa, dubbed the 'Greatest Rivalry' tour. Additionally, a fourth match will take place in Baltimore, marking a significant event as the first Test between these rivals on American soil.

This tour aims to create a financially lucrative product akin to the British and Irish Lions tours, with both nations expecting substantial profits from this venture. Reports reveal that the current Super Rugby Pacific model is facing economic challenges, with all five New Zealand provinces reporting cumulative losses over the past six years.

Despite losing key players to overseas leagues, the All Blacks maintain a selection policy that requires players to compete in New Zealand for international eligibility. Under Rennie's leadership, the team has achieved recent victories against top nations, but the upcoming Tests against South Africa will serve as the true test of their progress, especially given their challenging record in South Africa since 2016.