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Wales to play Springboks and England in RWC warm-ups

Joseph Dweba. (Photo by Charle Lombard/Gallo Images)

Both England and the Springboks will face off against Wales in 2023 as part of a series of Rugby World Cup warm-up matches to be staged in the Principality Stadium and Twickenham.

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South Africa and Wales faced off this summer in a tightly contested series in the Rainbow Nation and will meet again as both sides look to sharpen their swords ahead of the flagship tournament in France. Wayne Pivac’s mean will also play regular foes England twice – once in Cardiff and once in London.

A statement from the WRU reads: “Both England and the Springboks pay a visit to Principality Stadium in August as all the major powers in the world game begin their preparations for the showpiece tournament in earnest. Wales’ near-neighbours kick off the warm-up campaign for Wayne Pivac’s Wales with a visit to Cardiff on Saturday 5th August.

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“Pivac then takes his side on the road to Twickenham for the return fixture on Saturday 12th August before heading home again to host the ‘Boks on Saturday 19th August.”

Wales will be holding training camps in June and July. The games will be a final selection audition for players, as well as a last chance for Welsh fans to see the players on home soil before they take a tilt at the William Webb Ellis trophy.

“With less than a year to go until Rugby World Cup 2023 we have a clear programme set out for the squad in readiness for the tournament,” said Wales senior men’s head coach Wayne Pivac.

“I’m pleased we are able to confirm warm-up matches against England – home and away – and at home against South Africa as part of this.

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“These three matches are a key element of our final Rugby World Cup preparations and we look forward to seeing as many fans as possible at them before the squad departs for France.”

England head coach Eddie Jones said: “We’re very fortunate to have such a tough opponent in Wales and to play them both home and away, along with the atmosphere we always experience in Cardiff.

“It will be great preparation for the squad.”

South Africa, who beat Wales in the semi-finals of the 2019 World Cup in Japan, will visit the Principality Stadium on August 19.

Springboks coach Jacques Nienaber said: “Wales have always proven to be tough competition for us and our results against them in the last few years are evidence of the quality of the side they are.

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“The Rugby World Cup is one of the toughest competitions in the world, and you have to be at your best every week to reach the final, so it’s vital that we test ourselves against quality opposition in the lead-up to the competition.”

Tickets for the matches at Principality Stadium are expected to go on public sale in the New Year.

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H
Hellhound 36 minutes ago
The Springboks have something you don't have

Rassie has done very well with the Boks. The well will certainly not dry up soon. The amount of young talent coming through, that don't even stand a chance of making it in before 2027, is just absolutely amazing.


However, Rassie has proven to be a rugby genius. He will never rest on his laurels. It's why he keeps evolving tactics, keeping everyone on their toes. He doesn't underestimate any team. He is very aware of just how close the top teams is.


There will be no complacency not will he relax with his main stars. He is very astute, knowing that his team is getting older and thus giving the younger players much more playtime than what any other coach would do.


By the time the 2027 WC comes around, he will be prepared to defend his title and he knows one bad day will end a triple WC crown. Competition is that close. The Boks are in transition, even though it doesn't look like it.


After the 2027 WC, most of the double (possible triple) WC champs players will become unavailable due to retirement from international rugby. Rassie is already preparing the replacements, getting caps under their belts.


The top teams is just too close to underestimate and no Bok will be allowed to get complacent. Although they are by far the current most successful team and clearly the best by miles, they are not undefeatable.


Very tough to beat yes, but they can lose on the day. I am not worried. The youngsters by 2027 WC will be experienced with lots of years ahead and that should be a warning to the rest of the pack biting at their heels. Love them or hate them, but you have to admire the Boks. They truely deserve to be top dogs currently.

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