Curtain raisers confirmed for Springbok Tests
Yesterday at 04:11 AM
Rugby supporters in Gauteng and the Eastern Cape are in for a feast of Test action when the international season kicks off in the middle of the year, with curtain raisers confirmed for the Springboks’ first Tests of the year against Italy.
It’s been announced that the Springbok Women will take on Canada in curtain raisers at Loftus Versfeld and Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on 5 and 12 July.
The Tests against Canada – ranked second in the world – will effectively mean the opening two weekends of the Incoming Series will feature international double headers in Pretoria and Gqeberha.
SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer said the Tests would not only showcase the growth and status of the Springbok Women, but also women's rugby in general.
"It is a momentous year for the Springbok Women, as they will try and deliver their best ever result at the Rugby World Cup in England in August and these two encounters, against one of the best teams in the world, will be a very important part of their preparations," said Oberholzer.
"The fact that they will share the field with the Springboks, will be another bonus for our supporters, especially those in Pretoria and Gqeberha, where the Springbok Women have not played in a while."
The Springbok Women played Spain at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg in 2022 as a curtain-raiser to the Springboks' Rugby Championship clash against New Zealand, and faced the Barbarians at DHL Stadium last year, before the Springboks took on the All Blacks.
Springbok curtain raisers to add to the action-packed occasions
Springbok Women performance coach Swys de Bruin said that confirmation of the Canadian Tests was great news.
"We are only ranked 12th in the world and Canada are second, and for us to be in the best shape possible for the Rugby World Cup, we need to play the best teams in the world," said De Bruin.
"We're grateful that Canada accepted the invitation to tour to South Africa and I want to thank all involved who made this possible. What a wonderful day it will be for rugby fans to watch our women and then the Springboks competing in test matches."
WILL YOU BE ATTENDING ANY OF THESE GAMES?
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