The world champion Springboks will return to the field for the first time since last year’s World Cup final at Twickenham in London when they take on Wales in June.
The Saturday, 22 June match in London for the Qatar Airways Cup will serve as the ideal preparation for the July international season, which starts two weeks later with the first of two Tests against world’s second-ranked team, Ireland.
It is the second year in a row the Boks will play a Test on neutral territory in London after inflicting their heaviest defeat ever on the All Blacks with their 35-7 victory in front of a passionate 80 827 strong crowd at Twickenham in their final World Cup warm-up match in August last year, when they also lifted the Qatar Airways Cup.
“We are thrilled to return to Twickenham in what will mark our first Test since the Rugby World Cup final in France,” said Erasmus.“We have very fond memories of the RWC warm-up Test we played against the All Blacks at Twickenham last year. The atmosphere and occasion were truly remarkable, and we are expecting a very similar experience in June.
Erasmus said the fact that Wales hit the ground running following their Six Nations campaign by the time the teams meet, added to the significance of the encounter, especially with back-to-back clashes lined up against Ireland soon after. “They are currently ranked eighth in the world, and they also progressed to the World Cup quarter-final last year, so this will be the ideal preparation for us to switch into gear for the Castle Lager Incoming Series.”