Boks' home Tests for 2019 confirmed
NEWS: South Africa will only play two Tests on home soil in 2019.
The Springboks will play their only two home Tests in Johannesburg and Pretoria.
The opening round of a shortened Rugby Championship will take place on Saturday, July 20, at Ellis Park against Australia, while an additional Test against Argentina on Saturday, August 17 will be played at Loftus Versfeld.
Due to next year’s Rugby World Cup in Japan, South Africa, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand are scheduled to play in a condensed Rugby Championship.
The clash against Los Pumas in Pretoria does not form part of the competition and takes place on the same day as a second Bledisloe Cup clash between the Wallabies and All Blacks.
Super Rugby kicks off on the weekend of February 16 and will run uninterrupted until the Final on Saturday, July 6, which means no June Test will take place.
Following their home match against the Wallabies on the Highveld, the Springboks will travel to New Zealand for the big encounter against the All Blacks – on July 27 in Wellington, the scene of the Boks’ outstanding triumph over the Kiwis in September this year.
Two weeks later, on August 10, the Springboks play in their second away game when they take on the Pumas in Argentina (venue to be confirmed) and the two teams will then meet each other again one week later in Pretoria.
Jurie Roux, the CEO of SA Rugby, said he is delighted that Springbok fans will now be able to see their team in two home Tests next year.
“The extra match against Argentina in Pretoria means Bok fans will have a fantastic opportunity to see Siya Kolisi and his Springbok team in action in a second home international,” said Roux.
“The match against the Pumas will also give [Springbok coach] Rassie Erasmus a final opportunity on home soil to prepare the Springboks, before the announcement of the final squad for the World Cup in Japan.”
The Springboks’ confirmed Test matches for 2019:
Rugby Championship
July 20: v Australia, Ellis Park, Johannesburg
July 27: v New Zealand, Westpac Stadium, Wellington
August 10: v Argentina, venue TBC
International match:
August 17: v Argentina, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
South Africa’s World Cup Group B match schedule (with local and SA times):
Saturday, September 21: v New Zealand, International Stadium Yokohama (18.45; 11.45)
Saturday, September 28: v Namibia, City of Toyota Stadium (18.45; 11.45)
Friday, October 4: v Italy, Shizuoka Stadium (18.45; 11.45)
Tuesday, October 8: v Canada, Kobe Misaki Stadium (19.15; 12.15)
