LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 25: Kurt Lee-Arendse of South Africa celebrates his teammates after scoring a try during the Rugby World Cup 2023 warm up match between New Zealand and South Africa at Twickenham Stadium on August 25, 2023 in London, England. Photo: SA Rugby
Springboks add Twickenham Test to mid-year schedule!
In a slight change in plans, the Springboks’ first Test of the season will now be played in London, where they’ll take on Wales in June.
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 25: Kurt Lee-Arendse of South Africa celebrates his teammates after scoring a try during the Rugby World Cup 2023 warm up match between New Zealand and South Africa at Twickenham Stadium on August 25, 2023 in London, England. Photo: SA Rugby
The Springboks are set to take on Wales at a neutral venue – believed to be Twickenham — before hosting Ireland and Portugal on home soil later this year.
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This is according to Sunday newspaper Rapport, who broke the news that the Springboks’ first bit of Test action since winning the World Cup will not take place on home soil, with Twickenham said to host South Africa and Wales.
It’ll be South Africa’s first outing at Twickenham since their record win over the All Blacks in a World Cup warm-up match last year.
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The match will serve as excellent preparation for South Africa’s two-Test series against Ireland in Pretoria and Durban, which will be followed by a historic showdown with Portugal in Bloemfontein.
It will also serve the purpose of gauging the new Springboks coaching set-up, following the departure of Jacques Nienaber (head coach) and Felix Jones (attack coach).
Reports suggest that Rassie Erasmus will return to the helm as head coach, while ex-Ireland hooker Jerry Flannery and former All Blacks flyhalf Tony Brown are also believed to have been recruited to the Springboks’ management team.
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SPRINGBOKS TEST SCHEDULE FOR 2024
| Opponent | Date | Venue | Competition |
| Wales | June | Twickenham Stadium, London | Mid-year Test |
| Ireland | 6 July | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria | Incoming mid-year tour |
| Ireland | 13 July | Kings Park, Durban | Incoming mid-year tour |
| Portugal | 20 July | Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein | Incoming mid-year tour |
| All Blacks | 31 August | Ellis Park, Johannesburg | Rugby Championship |
| All Blacks | 7 September | DHL Stadium, Cape Town | Rugby Championship |
| Argentina | 28 September | Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit | Rugby Championship |
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