Historical Shifts Highlighted as Māori and Pacific Players Lead All Blacks Squad to South Africa

A new analysis released ahead of the first test between the New Zealand All Blacks and the South African Springboks highlights a significant evolution in the sport's diversity. Writing for The Conversation, Jeremy Hapeta and Rochelle Stewart-Withers noted on Friday, 21 August 2026, that well over half of the current 44-man All Blacks squad are of Māori or Pacific descent. This composition marks a stark contrast to the historical 'colour bar' that once dominated the two nations' 105-year rivalry. The authors point out that 66 years ago, during the 1960 tour of South Africa, only 18 members of the current squad would have been eligible to play under the former apartheid republic’s racist policies. The exclusion of legendary players like fullback George Nepia and Jimmy Mill in 1928 due to their Māori ancestry remains a significant part of New Zealand's sporting history. The progress toward inclusion was hard-won through decades of activism, including the 150,000-signature 'No Māoris – No Tour' petition in 1960 and the widespread protests during the 1981 Springbok tour of New Zealand. The analysis notes that it was not until 2010 that the New Zealand and South African rugby unions formally apologised for the exclusion of Māori players during the apartheid era. Today, the team represents a new era of equality. Among the squad is Semisi Ta’eiloa, the most recently capped All Black of Tongan descent, following in the footsteps of pioneers like Sir Bryan Williams. This shift is mirrored in the Springboks, led by captain Siya Kolisi, the first black player to hold the position. As the teams prepare for their first tour series in South Africa since 1996, the authors suggest the presence of these players serves as a reminder of those who struggled off the field for social and sporting equality.