 International rugby was suspended during the First World War , but a New Zealand Services team did compete in inter @-@ services competition known as the King 's Cup . After their departure from Europe the side toured South Africa before their return to New Zealand , and that tour paved the way for a South African team to tour New Zealand in 1921 . The Springboks – as the South African team is known – played New Zealand in a test series that ended all square . New Zealand conducted a return tour to South Africa in 1928 , and the test series was again drawn ; both teams winning two tests each . 
