All Blacks heading for Newlands?

Cape Town - Although unconfirmed, it appears increasingly likely that the All Blacks will be heading for Newlands during next year's Rugby Championship.

If true, it would end a nine-year wait for Cape Town fans in seeing the world's No 1 team in action in the Mother City.

Following confirmation that next year's mid-year three-Test series matches against France will take place in Pretoria, Durban and Johannesburg, it logically follows that Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and one of Bloemfontein or Nelspruit would host matches in the Rugby Championship.

Whether SA Rugby would risk inviting the All Blacks, who enjoy tremendous support at Newlands and the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, to Cape Town or Port Elizabeth, remains to be seen.

The All Blacks last played at Newlands in 2008 in what was Percy Montgomery's 100th Test. New Zealand walked away convincing 19-0 victors that day.

In total, the Springboks and All Blacks have clashed on 9 occasions in Cape Town since their first Test back in 1928, with the Boks having won 3 and lost 6 Tests.