VIDEO: Bok fixture list grows in 2025
NEWS: The Springboks will be adding more Tests to their 2025 calendar.
At the Boks’ first press conference of the year on Wednesday, General Manager Charles Wessels revealed that South Africa will face the Barbarians on June 28 ahead of their two Test series against Italy and one-off Test against Georgia.
Wessels also revealed that they are working on adding two more Tests to the calendar.
If it gets finalised, it will mean that the Boks will be involved in 15 Tests this year.
After the July window, the Springboks will head into the Rugby Championship before ending the season with the traditional end-of-year tour.
Springbok Head Coach Rassie Erasmus highlighted why they are looking to play more games this season, with the 2027 World Cup playing a huge factor.
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“We are hoping to get 15 matches, I think we almost confirmed every single one.
“Not maybe the venues, but yes, we do have a tough season [ahead].
“Just look at our draw.
Erasmus added: “I think it’s only the second time in history that 15 matches were played [per international season].
“If I’m correct, there were 17 matches [played] in 2007.
“It will be the first time in a long time, and I think we need that.
“We still want to filter and shift some players and give a lot of players an opportunity – whilst winning.
“I know I won’t be sitting here if we chop and change and don’t win.
“Our country is proud, and we want to win.
“It’s nice to have an eye on the future.
“We plan to rotate players at the correct times.
“Looking at the squad we assembled – we are looking at all options in all positions.
“We want to ensure when the World Cup draw happens at the end of this year, which is very important that we are ranked well.
“The World Cup pools are a bit different.
“If you put players through pressure cooker situations two years out from the World Cup, you learn a lot from them.”
By Warren Fortune and Angus Opperman
