The Springboks team has organized a preparatory match against the Fiji national team ahead of the Rugby World Cup, which will take place in Australia next year. This test match will be part of the teams' final preparations for the tournament.
The clash between the Springboks and Fiji, titled 'Contest on the Coast,' is scheduled for Saturday, September 18, 2027, at Gosford, located north of Sydney. This match will take place just two weeks before the reigning champions begin defending their title against Italy in Adelaide on October 3.
The test was announced exactly one year before the game and will give Australian fans an early opportunity to see both the World Cup defending champions and the popular Flying Fijians in action before the tournament starts. This will be the fourth meeting between the two nations and will serve as a significant final check for both sides before the World Cup begins.
The Springboks aim to secure an unprecedented third consecutive World Cup title, while Fiji hopes to continue their historic run to the 2023 quarterfinals and represent the Pacific region's hopes in the tournament, which will be held in their home region.
Both teams will set up highly effective training camps on the Central Coast of New South Wales and will be based there before and after the match.
Coach's Comments
Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus expressed enthusiasm about the announcement of the match against Fiji as part of the preparation for the World Cup in Australia, as well as the opportunity to play another test match in Gosford after the last encounter with the Pacific Islanders in 2004. He noted that Fiji is a strong team that has consistently tested the world's best teams in recent years, proving its strength by reaching the 2023 World Cup quarterfinals.
Erasmus added that this will be an excellent test for their team before the international event in Australia. He emphasized that Fiji is among the top 10 world teams and is a physically developed and talented team that, like themselves, will surely want to maximize the opportunities of this match before the start of the World Cup.
Currently, the Springboks are in Australia and will play against the Wallabies in Perth on Sunday, September 27.