The Springboks will face New Zealand twice in New Zealand in a planned 15 Test match season in 2025.
Image: AFP
The Springboks will play 15 Tests and a match against the Barbarians this year to sift through the available players ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Thirteen of the Tests are confirmed, with two more being ironed out by SA Rugby. Head coach Rassie Erasmus described their Test season as a 'tough' and one that he looks forward to.
They will face Italy in two clashes and Georgia during the Incoming Series in July, with the Barbarian game to kick the season off. Home Rugby Championship matches against Australia (two) and Argentina (home and away) and two Tests in New Zealand will also follow.
The year will culminate in November with Italy (Torino), Ireland (Dublin), France (Stade de France in Paris) and Wales (Cardiff) amongst the opponents waiting on them.
It's almost certain that the Boks will use some of the young players who've impressed in the United Rugby Championship in the opening Tests. That will keep their stalwarts fresh for what awaits in the Rugby Championship.
"We are hoping to get the 15 matches, every single one is almost confirmed," Erasmus said on Wednesday.
"This will be a tough season for us in terms of Tests, just looking at our draw. We had a tough 2022, but now having 15 matches, I think it is only the second time in history that we have it. I think 2007 had 17 matches. It will be the first one in a long time, but we need them.
"We want to sift and filter some players and give others some opportunity while winning, of course. I know I won't be sitting here if I just chop and change. Our country is proud and we want to win."
Erasmus said the big alignment squad he selected was to ensure they have plenty of options. While the group of 82 players will go into three different camps this month, the aim is to lay a platform with certain players even if they do not feature this year.
Erasmus and his assistant will host an in-person camp with 56 players from Monday, while the virtual one-day camps will be later in the month with overseas players and a few local guys."