Test match rugby will make a return to the Eastern Cape city of Gqeberha when World Cup titleholders, South Africa take on Italy in the second of their two-match series of the Castle Lager Incoming Tours in July.
The South African Rugby Union on Thursday announced the venues of the Springboks’ six home fixtures for the 2025 season as Bloemfontein’s Free State Stadium got overlooked as a host.
Geqberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) last hosted a Springboks (3.95) Test during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic when South Africa tackled Argentina in back-to-back games in an empty Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium during the 2021 Rugby Championship tournament.
It will be the ninth time that the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium plays host to a Springbok Test, with the home team never losing a game at the venue that was one of the iconic host stadiums for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Of their eight previous Tests at the venue, the Boks have won seven times and drawn one match.
Loftus to Open Springboks’ Test Campaign
Meanwhile, Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria will for the second season in a row play host to the Springboks’ opening Test match of the home season when they face Italy on 5 July.
Last year Loftus hosted a successful first Test as captain Siya Kolisi’s men downed Ireland 27-20 in front of a sold-out crowd.
The second Test between South Africa and Italy in Gqeberha will take place a week later with a sold-out crowd expected as residents of the Eastern Cape have been crying out to see their heroes in action.
South Africa then travel to Nelspruit to tackle Georgia in a once-off Test match on 19 July at the Mbombela Stadium.
Springboks Kick-off Rugby Championship Defence Against Wallabies
Coach Rassie Erasmus‘ men then start the defence of their 2024 Rugby Championship title at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg against Australia on 16 August before travelling to Cape Town to tackle the Wallabies for a second time at the DHL Stadium.
Their last home Test will be on 27 September at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in Durban against Argentina.
Of the Boks’ return to his home province of the Eastern Cape, Despatch=-born Erasmus says: “We have played at most of these venues in the last few years and we know them well, although it will be particularly exciting to return to Gqeberha for the first time since 2021.
“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.”
Returning Jones Bolsters Springboks Management Staff
Meanwhile, SA Rugby also announced on Thursday that back-to-back World Cup-winning assistant coach Felix Jones has made a return to the Springbok coaching setup.
Jones left the Boks after the 2023 World Cup to take up a role as an assistant coach with the England national team.
But after a much-publicised fallout with England (11.55) head coach Steve Borthwick, Jones resigned with Erasmus swooping in to get the Irish tactician back in the Springbok management setup.
Also joining Jones as new members of the Springbok management team are Robyn Moore (dietician)and Lance Lemmetjies (physiotherapist).
Springbok Home Fixtures in 2025:
5 July: SA v Italy – Loftus Versfeld, PretoriaCastle Lager Incoming Series:
12 July: SA v Italy – Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha
19 July: SA v Georgia – Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
Castle Lager Rugby Championship:
16 August: SA v Australia – Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
23 August: SA v Australia – DHL Stadium, Cape Town
27 September: SA v Argentina – Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
