Springboks to face Wales in November
SPOTLIGHT: Following a stellar Six Nations campaign, Wayne Pivac’s championship winners are set to take on current world champions, South Africa.
Wales will also take on fellow southern hemisphere heavyweights New Zealand and Australia and flamboyant Fiji in this year’s Nations Series at Principality Stadium.
The mighty All Blacks, making their first visit to Cardiff since 2017, kick off the series on Saturday, October 30 and will offer Pivac’s squad a stern test as Wales seek a first win in the fixture since 1953.
There will be no respite for Wales as the Springboks make a welcome return to Cardiff a week later. South Africa may have narrowly won the last meeting between the two sides at the World Cup in Japan, but Wales will enter the contest knowing they have been victorious on each of preceding four occasions the two sides have clashed at Principality Stadium.
Fijian flair has dazzled Welsh fans in the past with their exciting brand of rugby and the Pacific Islanders are next up on Sunday, November 14.
Finally, victory against the Wallabies the following Saturday, on the climactic weekend of the series, would ensure a hat-trick of consecutive wins for Wales for just the second time in history since the two teams first met in 1908.
Wayne Pivac, Wales head coach said, “There is no doubt this is a huge series fixture list and we are already looking forward to it, especially with the prospect of having supporters back at Principality Stadium.”
“It would be close to 21 months since we have had the chance to play in front of our fans at our home stadium, so it is hugely exciting to have the fixtures announced and I hope it excites the rugby public. It will be a big campaign against quality opposition, but we see it as another opportunity to test ourselves while we continue on our journey to France 2023.”
“As a group we haven’t faced a Southern Hemisphere side yet with last year’s June tour cancelled and October series rejigged so we are looking forward to welcoming all four sides to Cardiff for what will be four huge test matches.”
The WRU has a robust refund strategy in place to enable ticket purchasers to buy with confidence, and will guarantee refunds to the original credit card at point of purchase within 30 days, should the circumstance around Covid-19 change and reduced capacity or no crowds are put in place.
Whilst the future remains uncertain there is a confidence that October Nations Series 2021 will see the return of supporters to Principality Stadium and having hosted two international matches already this year, the stadium is operating under Covid-19 guidelines and is preparing for the safe return of fans.
Steve Phillips, WRU Group CEO said: “There’s a great appetite for rugby right now. Over two-thirds of the population tuned in to watch Wales play each of their Six Nations games in February. Tournaments like the Six Nations Championship and the Nations Series galvanise the nation, generate hope and pride and give the people of Wales something to look forward to in difficult times.
“It is our aim and ambition to deliver the Autumn Nations Series 2021 with full crowds. We are working alongside Welsh Government and Public Health Wales to ensure this is done correctly and safely and in order for us to move forward and deliver events of this scale we must plan ahead, be flexible and prepared for change. Getting the Autumn Nations Series on sale early is an essential step in this process.”
