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South Africa to face Wales at Twickenham in first match since RWC win
By Josh Raisey
South Africa and Wales are set to go head-to-head at Twickenham in June this year, marking the first game for the Springboks since winning a record fourth World Cup.
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London will play host to the 42nd meeting between the pair as they compete for the Qatar Airways Cup on June 22 in a double bill that will also see Fiji take on the Barbarians after.
The match will serve as a warm-up ahead for both sides’ July Tests, where the Springboks host Ireland in a greatly-anticipated series and Wales head to Australia to take on the Wallabies.
With the United Rugby Championship final being played on the same day, either side could have a number of players missing while they remain with their clubs.
The Springboks will be returning to Twickenham for the first time since August 2023, where they subjected the All Blacks to their heaviest-ever defeat in a 35-7 win. It will also be the first time that they will face Wales at the venue since their 2015 World Cup quarter-final meeting, which the Springboks won.
“We are thrilled to return to Twickenham in what will mark our first Test since the Rugby World Cup 2023 final in France,” South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus said.
“We have very fond memories of the RWC 23 warm-up Test we played against the All Blacks at Twickenham last year. The atmosphere and occasion were truly remarkable, and we are expecting a very similar experience in June.
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“The fact that we’re facing Wales, who we have faced there before in an exhilarating Rugby World Cup 2015 Quarter-final, will bring back plenty of other memories as well.
“We may be playing on foreign territory, but we enjoy fantastic support from the expat community in London and its surrounds, so we are really looking forward to the match.”
Erasmus’ counterpart in June, Warren Gatland, added: “I’m incredibly excited about the fixture list for Wales this summer.
“To have the opportunity for our young squad to test itself against the world champions at a neutral venue is an extremely important experience and something that we will relish. It should also be a great occasion for the fans and something a little bit different for them.
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“We’re also excited for the opportunity we have with our two Tests in Australia in July. We know the Wallabies will be hurting after Rugby World Cup but Australia is a tough place to go and play rugby and we’re expecting a fired up side led by new head coach Joe Schmidt.”
The contest between the Fiji and the Barbarians will follow immediately after the Test match, and will see Ben Youngs return to Twickenham after retiring from international rugby last year. The scrum-half is already one of the confirmed Barbarians players in a side coach by Kiwi Robbie Deans.
General admission tickets go on sale from Friday 23 February at 10am – visit Ticketmaster, Ticketek or RFU to secure your seat.
Each ticket will cover entry for both South Africa vs Wales (K.O. 2pm) and Barbarians vs Fiji (K.O. 5.15pm) on Saturday 22 June, starting from just £55* for Adults and £28* for Under-16s. For a 10% discount on groups of 10 or more, please visit www.eticketing.co.uk/rfu/events.
Hospitality packages are also available now, starting from £179 per person – visit www.twickenhamstadium.com to purchase now.
‘weakened squad’ excuses loading
Really just a cash grab. Wonder how many SA based players will play. Anyway an SA team might not make the URC final this year. A Welsh team definitely wont. Premiership players and Top 14 players may still be in action as well. Japanese contingent will likely be available and at least 3 of the 4 URC teams so SA will be terribly understrength and will probably shove a 3rd string side out the door with a couple of world cup winners. Wales wont be at full strength either but will likely be closer than SA. Should be a tight contest
Wales vs RSA usually ends up an entertaining match - double-header as well - I am in…
Desperate for more of that NH cash and an opponent they’ll easily roll over.
Never change SARFU. Bringing back Barnes to ref it too?