World champions South Africa will host Ireland and New Zealand for two Tests each next year and will also host Portugal for a historic first meeting between the two teams in July. Ireland will play matches in Pretoria (July 6) and Durban (July 13) in search of a first ever series victory in South Africa. The XV du Trèfle will be able to build on their 13-8 victory in the group stage against the Springboks in Paris during the World Cup in France. It is the only team to have won against the future world champions.
South Africa will also host Portugal in a location yet to be determined on July 20, it will be a first between the European team which had a great World Cup in France and the Boks. The Lusitanians, then coached by Patrice Lagisquet, had in fact beaten Fiji and drawn against Georgia, thanks to enterprising rugby.
“Tier 2” nations – the equivalent of the world’s second division – had strongly requested World Rugby for more opportunities to play against top teams outside of the World Cup. Portugal are also expected to face an England A selection in February.
The Springboks will then host two Rugby Championship matches at home against their old enemies New Zealand (whom they beat 12-11 in the World Cup final) in Johannesburg (August 31) then in Cape Town (September 7). They will also play a single home match against Argentina in Nelspruit (September 28), but their two Rugby Championship matches against Australia will be played on opposite sides.
July 6 v Ireland (Pretoria)July 13 v Ireland (Durban)
July 30 against Portugal (venue to be confirmed)
August 31 against New Zealand (Johannesburg) September 7 against New Zealand (Cape Town)
September 8 against Argentina (Nelspruit)
