The Springboks, South Africa’s reigning world champions, have confirmed the venues for their 2025 home Tests, marking a return to the Eastern Cape for the first time since 2021. SA Rugby announced the venues on Thursday, with the Springboks set to play in six different cities across the country.
Castle Lager Incoming Series: July 2025
The Springboks will begin their 2025 season with the Castle Lager Incoming Series, hosting Italy and Georgia. This series will not only provide the team with valuable preparation ahead of the Rugby Championship but also give fans across the country the opportunity to witness the world champions in action.
- 5 July: South Africa vs. Italy – Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
The Springboks open their season in the capital against Italy, marking the Azzurri’s first visit to South Africa since 2013. - 12 July: South Africa vs. Italy – Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha
The Boks will return to the Eastern Cape for the first time in four years, having last played in Gqeberha behind closed doors in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. - 19 July: South Africa vs. Georgia – Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
The Springboks will face Georgia for only the third time in history, with the previous encounters taking place in 2003 and 2021. South Africa boasts a flawless record in Nelspruit, having won all five of their previous matches at the venue.
Castle Lager Rugby Championship: August – September 2025
Following the Incoming Series, the Springboks will begin their Rugby Championship campaign, hosting fierce southern hemisphere rivals.
- 16 August: South Africa vs. Australia – Ellis Park, Johannesburg
The Springboks start their title defence at Ellis Park, a stadium known for hosting some of their most iconic victories. - 23 August: South Africa vs. Australia – DHL Stadium, Cape Town
The second Test against the Wallabies takes place in Cape Town, providing a different tactical challenge with the change in altitude and conditions. - 27 September: South Africa vs. Argentina – Kings Park, Durban
The final home Test of the season will see the Boks take on Los Pumas at Kings Park, before concluding their Rugby Championship campaign with an away fixture in London.
Springboks Away Fixtures in 2025
- 6 September: vs. New Zealand – Eden Park, Auckland
- 13 September: vs. New Zealand – Sky Stadium, Wellington
- 4 October: vs. Argentina – Twickenham Stadium, London
- 8 November: vs. France – Paris
- 15 November: vs. Italy – TBC
- 22 November: vs. Ireland – Dublin
- 29 November: vs. Wales – Cardiff
Excitement for the 2025 Season
Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus expressed his enthusiasm about the confirmed venues, stating that the announcement allows the team to step up their planning. He highlighted the significance of returning to Gqeberha and praised the passionate support the Springboks receive across the country.
“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,” said Erasmus.
With the venues now confirmed, Springbok fans can start making plans to support their team in what promises to be another thrilling season of international rugby.
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