England Saxons to tour South Africa
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England Saxons to tour South Africa
England Saxons will face South Africa ‘A’ on Friday, 10 June at Bloemfontein’s Free State Stadium and Outeniqua Park in George on Friday, 17 June.
Maro Itoje (Saracens), Luke Cowan Dickie (Exeter) and Elliot Daly (Wasps) featured in the last Saxons team which beat the Irish Wolfhounds 18-9 in 2015. All three players went on to feature in Eddie Jones’ grand slam winning England team last month.
It will be the first time since 2003 that the SA ‘A’ team will be in action in South Africa. On that occasion they drew 30-30 against Argentina in Wellington.
Ian Ritchie RFU CEO said: “We would like to thank SA Rugby for inviting the Saxons to tour South Africa this June. The two-match series will provide a fantastic experience for the squad to play against very strong opposition who will be extremely well prepared having worked alongside the SA senior side ahead of the matches.”
Commenting on the upcoming tour, SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux said: “The Saxons’ tour will coincide with Ireland’s three Test series against the Springboks and all players not involved with the Boks, will get the opportunity to take on top-ranked opposition during the same time, thereby exposing even more of our top players to international rugby."
“Providing international opposition for a bigger group of our players is important as we aim to improve the experience and depth of our player base. The Saxons’ tour will do just that."
Maro Itoje (Saracens), Luke Cowan Dickie (Exeter) and Elliot Daly (Wasps) featured in the last Saxons team which beat the Irish Wolfhounds 18-9 in 2015. All three players went on to feature in Eddie Jones’ grand slam winning England team last month.
It will be the first time since 2003 that the SA ‘A’ team will be in action in South Africa. On that occasion they drew 30-30 against Argentina in Wellington.
Ian Ritchie RFU CEO said: “We would like to thank SA Rugby for inviting the Saxons to tour South Africa this June. The two-match series will provide a fantastic experience for the squad to play against very strong opposition who will be extremely well prepared having worked alongside the SA senior side ahead of the matches.”
Commenting on the upcoming tour, SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux said: “The Saxons’ tour will coincide with Ireland’s three Test series against the Springboks and all players not involved with the Boks, will get the opportunity to take on top-ranked opposition during the same time, thereby exposing even more of our top players to international rugby."
“Providing international opposition for a bigger group of our players is important as we aim to improve the experience and depth of our player base. The Saxons’ tour will do just that."
England Saxons tour to South Africa: *tour subject to approval from World Rugby
Friday, 10 June: SA A v England Saxons – Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Friday, 17 June: SA A v England Saxons – Outeniqua Park, George
