Springboks to play 14 tests in 5 months

After being starved of test rugby since November 2019, the Springboks are set to be back in the thick of it again with 14 scheduled test matches in just 5 months. 

On Friday evening, Siya Kolisi’s men will enjoy their first taste of international competition since the most recent World Cup final 20 months ago when they tackle Georgia at Loftus Versveld. Thereafter, they take on Georgia once more before embarking on a colossal battle against the British & Irish Lions.  

From 24 July, the Springboks will be in action on five consecutive weekends (against the Lions and followed by two tests against Argentina in the Rugby Championship). Fixtures against the Wallabies and All Blacks are scheduled to cap off the tournament before the Boks head north for three tests against Wales, Scotland and England.  

 “We just want to play international rugby again,” said national director of rugby Rassie Erasmus. 

“It was so depressing last year as one international after another was cancelled and we could not compete in the Rugby Championship because the team lacked sufficient game time.   

“Had it not been possible to host the Lions, we would have been prepared to play them anywhere in the world.”