SOUTH AFRICA WILL return to action for the first time since they won last year’s Rugby World Cup when they take on Wales at Twickenham Stadium on 22 June, it was announced today.
The London ground last staged a match between the two sides during the 2015 World Cup, when the Springboks won a tense quarter-final 23-19.
South Africa, who faced New Zealand at Twickenham in a World Cup warm-up last year, play Ireland twice in July, in Pretoria and Durban, while Wales travel to Australia for a two-Test series.
“We are thrilled to return to Twickenham in what will mark our first Test since the Rugby World Cup final in France,” said South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus.
The #Springboks will kick the 2024 season off with a blockbuster clash against @WelshRugbyUnion at Twickenham - more here: https://t.co/dZj7ZQpWM1 💥#StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/jCDwRMS6V4
— Springboks (@Springboks) February 21, 2024
He added: “We may be playing on foreign territory, but we enjoy fantastic support from the expat community in London and its surrounds, as we saw last year where most of the supporters donned green and gold, so we are really looking forward to the match.”
Wales coach Warren Gatland, whose side have lost their opening two Six Nations fixtures, said he was “excited about the fixture list”.
“To have the opportunity for our young squad to test itself against the world champions at a neutral venue is an extremely important experience, and something that we will relish,” he said.
The Barbarians will play Fiji later on the same day at Twickenham.
same day URC Final hopefully wont on at same time
@et son: surely that’s not a good advertisement for the URC if the boks are in camp/international duty on final day. Ffs confusing stuff
@et son: URC final on June 2nd
@et son: Imagine Welsh fans might have to choose between going to Twickenham and a home URC final in Cardiff!! Choices, choices.
@timothy o connor: Oops… now I cannot delete my smart ass comment. Serves me right
@Stuart: Lions, Sharks & Stormers won’t have to worry about when the URC final is being played. The bulls are playing very well but I fancy them to have an end of season blip
@Noel Roe: trophy is going back to SA. Only one team (the favourite) has consecutive blips in finals and thats on this island..
@Stuart: I love a Leinster blip more than most but the trophy is staying in Ireland
@Noel Roe: haha, Stormers coming right after bad start and bulls looking really good , should be a SA/IRE showdown at the end once again ..
@Stuart: Neither the Welsh nor the South Africans taking the league seriously. The Welsh won’t be involved in a final, so it makes sense for them. The Bulls or the Stormers probably will be. Bit of a kick in the teeth for them if they have to give up their internationals. Though it would affect the Bulls less.
@timothy o connor: Final is June 22nd. You must be looking at the misprint on Planet rugby. Round 18 is Saturday June 1st.
@timothy o connor: it’s June 22 this year according to the URC website
QF 7-8 June
Semi finals 14-15
Final 22nd
@Stephen Nolan: SA Teams won’t have to give up internationals. Spring boks will be playing without the players part of the URC final.