Rugby fans in the Eastern Cape will get to watch the Springboks for the first time in seven years when Rassie Erasmus and his world champions host Italy at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha.
The game will be played on July 12, and will be second Test of their series against the Italians. The first Test will be played at Loftus Versfeld in Tshwane a week earlier on July 5.
In 2021, the Springboks played two games against Argentina in Gqeberha. But due to the Covid-19 pandemic at the time, the games were played behind closed doors and there were no fans allowed in the stadium.
The last time fans in Gqeberha got to watch the Springboks was a Rugby Championship clash against Australia in 2018, won 23-12 by the men in green and gold.
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Mbombela Stadium in Mbombela will host the Springboks' Test against Georgia on July 19.
For the Rugby Championship, Ellis Park in Johannesburg and Cape Town Stadium in the Mother City will host the two Tests against the Wallabies, while Durban's Kings Park is where the game against Argentina will be played.
Speaking about the announcement of the venues, Bok coach Erasmus was delighted about the return to the Eastern Cape.
“The confirmation of the Test venues always gives us peace of mind from a coaching and management team perspective because it means we can step up our planning, and it also boosts the excitement from the public for the season,” Erasmus said in the statement released by SA Rugby..
“We have played at most of these venues in the last few years and we know them well, although it will be particularly exciting to return to Gqeberha for the first time since 2021.
“We thoroughly enjoy the passionate support we receive from our home crowds throughout the country, and we have no doubt we will enjoy great support at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium once again – this time in a packed stadium, which we last experienced in the Eastern Cape in 2018 against Australia.”
Springbok home fixtures in 2025:
Castle Lager Incoming Series:
5 July: SA v Italy – Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
12 July: SA v Italy – Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha
19 July: SA v Georgia – Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
Rugby Championship:
16 August: SA v Australia – Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
23 August: SA v Australia – DHL Stadium, Cape Town
27 September: SA v Argentina – Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
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