The Springboks are set to face the Wallabies in a one-off Test in Perth on Sunday with a revamped team. Coach Rassie Erasmus has decided to send Pieter-Steph du Toit and Damian de Allende home for rest and recuperation. The duo had a heavy workload this season and will return to South Africa to spend time with their families. Erasmus believes he has sufficient cover ahead of the Test at the 61,000-seat Optus Stadium.
The Boks are currently based in Terrigal, a coastal town north of Sydney, and will make the trip to Perth early this week. Captain Siya Kolisi reflected on the team's journey from Baltimore, describing it as a long but successful trip. The team is now focused on preparing for the Test against the Wallabies. Kolisi emphasized the importance of this game for the team.
SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer expressed satisfaction with the first edition of Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Series between the Boks and the All Blacks. The series featured three Tests in South Africa and one in the US. Oberholzer believed the event had merit as a rugby occasion and was excited by its success. The series attracted broader rugby attention and was a success in both countries.
Oberholzer compared the Greatest Rivalry Series to a British & Irish Lions tour, describing the latter as a unique event with a rich history. However, he believes the Greatest Rivalry Series has established itself as an important event on the global rugby calendar. The series has exceeded expectations in terms of attracting attention and being a successful event.
The Springboks will face Fiji in a Test at the Polytec Stadium in Gosford, Australia, on September 18, 2027. This match is part of their preparations for the 2027 Rugby World Cup. The Test will give fans a chance to see the four-time World Cup champions and the live-wire Fijians in action ahead of the global showpiece.
The match against Fiji marks only the fourth time the two nations have met. Both teams will take up residence on the Central Coast in the run-up to and after the Test. High-performance training camps will be set up using the region's world-class facilities, and the teams will be integrated into the local community.
Erasmus expressed excitement about the announcement of the clash against Fiji as part of their preparations for the 2027 Rugby World Cup. He also looked forward to playing another Test match in Gosford on the Central Coast after last facing the Pacific Islanders there in 2004. The Springboks will start their World Cup title defense just over two weeks later when they take on Italy in Adelaide on October 3.
Key points
- The Springboks will face the Wallabies with a revamped team in a one-off Test in Perth on Sunday.
- SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer is satisfied with the success of the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Series.
- The Springboks will face Fiji in a Test on September 18, 2027, as part of their preparations for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
