While the domestic international season may play second fiddle to the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia this year, the November tour for the Springboks is shaping up as a tough four week tour that will set the tone for the build up to the next Rugby World Cup.
The Springboks haven’t announced the venues for their local tests this year - incoming tests against Georgia and Italy before the Rugby Championship double against Australia and one test against Argentina, but their overseas tests have all been confirmed for the rest of the year.
While Argentina’s home game against the Springboks has been set for Twickenham in an acid test for more of these money-spinning matches in Europe, the Boks will also now face Wales at the end of their four week tour in a test that is out of the traditional test window.
That means the Boks won’t be able to call on their European and Japanese based players, giving the Bok management another opportunity to blood younger players with a view to Australia 2027.
But it is the rest of the November itinerary that raises eyebrows - with the Boks set to go head to head with World No 2 side Ireland in Dublin in a heavyweight clash and France in Paris in a tough November schedule.
LOST LAST GAME V IRELAND
The Boks last game against Ireland was one they lost in the dying minutes in Durban, drawing the home series 1-1, and they also lost the Rugby World Cup game in Paris to Andy Farrell’s side, so there will be plenty of motivation going into the clash for both sides.
The game is the third clash for the Boks on the tour, and is likely to feature some younger players that are moving into more permanent starting roles for Rassie Erasmus’ side. But you can be sure when the top two sides in the world clash, it will be top billing that week.
The Boks will also kick off their tour with a clash in Paris and a rematch against France - with the last game being the bad-blood one-point winner in the World Cup quarterfinal - a match that still has the French fuming and caused their star scrumhalf Antoine Dupont to lash out after the game at the officiating, although no sanction was ever imposed against him.
It also led to death threats against Cobus Reinach, the Bok scrumhalf, as the post-game mood was sour in France after their loss and the return match is sure to be tinged with calls for revenge in the French media and is likely to be highly charged.
That’s one hell of an opener to the tour, especially as the Boks will have little time to prepare, but should be battle hardened after the Rugby Championship.
France are currently No 4 in the world, but there is more than enough spice to make that game a humdinger in its own right.
DOUBLE HEADER V NZ IN NZ
So with Ireland currently at two, and France at four, the Boks will also face World No 3 and old enemy New Zealand in two tests in New Zealand during the Rugby Championship, including a game at Eden Park where the All Blacks have not lost for 30 years.
That in itself is a mighty challenge for the Boks in a season that will start slowly, but will quickly ramp up the pressure in the latter part of the year.
In Between Ireland and France is a trip to Rome to face a tricky Italian side, while the tour ends with Wales outside the window. While the Welsh are currently at an all time low, the Boks won’t take them lightly.
Still, the season will test Erasmus and co in terms of their planning, and it is likely to see a younger, less experienced side face Georgia and Italy before a more mixed and match side faces Australia.
The experimentation will stop when the Boks get to New Zealand and they play their best against the All Blacks, before a more measured approach, as has been the case in recent times, against Argentina home and away.
One thing is for sure, when the Boks eventually get to the end of this season, Erasmus will have a lot better idea of his 30 for the World Cup in 2027. And the next two years will be fine tuning them into a side that can hopefully three-peat and bring the trophy home again.
SPRINGBOK FIXTURES IN 2025 (all venues in SA will be confirmed):
Castle Lager Incoming Series:
5 July: SA v Italy
12 July: SA v Italy
19 July: SA v Georgia
Castle Lager Rugby Championship:
16 August: SA v Australia
23 August: SA v Australia
6 September: New Zealand v SA – Eden Park, Auckland
13 September: New Zealand v SA – Sky Stadium, Wellington
27 September: SA v Argentina
4 October: Argentina v SA – Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, London
NOVEMBER INTERNATIONALS
8 November: France v SA
15 November: Italy v SA
22 November: Ireland v SA
29 November: Wales v SA