With the Springboks soon set to gather for their first alignment camp of the year, it has been confirmed that options are being investigated for a match prior to the Incoming Series.
During a press briefing in Cape Town on Wednesday, Rassie Erasmus went one step further to reveal that they will play the Barbarians ahead of the July Test window.
This fixture against the famed international touring team will allow Erasmus to mix and match with some of his selections in what will not be an official ‘Test’.
Last year the Springboks opened their Test campaign with a one-off game against Wales in London on 22 June, and they are now looking at another important season-opener.
Springbok fixtures in 2025 (all venues in SA will be confirmed):
One-off fixture:
Likely end of June: Barbarians
Incoming Series:
5 July: SA v Italy – Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
12 July: SA v Italy – Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha
19 July: SA v Georgia – Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
Rugby Championship:
16 August: SA v Australia – Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
23 August: SA v Australia – DHL Stadium, Cape Town
6 September: New Zealand v SA – Eden Park, Auckland
13 September: New Zealand v SA – Sky Stadium, Wellington
27 September: SA v Argentina SA v Argentina – Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
4 October: Argentina v SA – Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, London
Expected end-of-year matches (*still to be confirmed)
1 November: vs Wales, Cardiff
8 November: vs France, Paris
15 November: vs Italy, TBC
22 November: vs Ireland, Dublin
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus recently said he was pleased with the confirmation of the home Test venues, and said it sparked even more excitement among the coaches for the 2025 season.
“The confirmation of the Test venues always gives us peace of mind from a coaching and management team perspective because it means we can step up our planning, and it also boosts the excitement from the public for the season,” said Erasmus.
“We have played at most of these venues in the last few years and we know them well, although it will be particularly exciting to return to Gqeberha for the first time since 2021.
“We thoroughly enjoy the passionate support we receive from our home crowds throughout the country, and we have no doubt we will enjoy great support at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium once again – this time in a packed stadium, which we last experienced in the Eastern Cape in 2018 against Australia.”
Following on from the mid-year matches, the Springboks will then aim to defend their Rugby Championship title against Australia, New Zealand and Argentina between August and October, before the traditional Outgoing Tour in November.
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Src: TheSouthAfrican.com - https://rugga.co.za/springboks/confirmed-surprise-opponent-for-springboks-in-june/
