Springboks plan to play All Blacks again at Eden Park and visit Christchurch in 2027

The Springboks team will have the opportunity to redeem their recent chaotic loss to the Wallabies in Perth, as Rugby Australia has confirmed its schedule for 2027. This schedule includes two matches between the two teams, including the significant 100th test match between the two fierce rivals.

Following Australia's unexpected victory over the two-time world champions at Optus Stadium on Sunday, the Springboks will not have to wait long for a chance at revenge. The 2027 season, which serves as preparation for the Rugby World Cup on Australian soil later that year, features two matches between the Springboks and the Wallabies within The Rugby Championship.

Rugby Championship

Although SANZAAR has not yet determined the exact dates and venues for the South African leg of the tournament, the second meeting between the squads will hold immense historical significance, marking the 100th test match in a rivalry that began in July 1933.

Australia's season will kick off with a Bledisloe Cup debut against New Zealand at Suncorp Stadium on April 25. The team will then host Argentina in Sydney and Townsville in July. After this, the Wallabies will begin their campaign in The Rugby Championship, playing two test matches against Los Pumas at Allianz Stadium on July 10 and the following week at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

The Wallabies will face the All Blacks at home on July 31, before traveling overseas to play test matches against New Zealand and the defending world champions South Africa. Australia will conclude its World Cup preparations on September 18 with a match against Ireland at GIO Stadium in Canberra—the first test match in the Australian capital in a decade—commemorating the 100th anniversary of Australia's first encounter with Ireland at Lansdowne Road in 1927.

The Rugby World Cup will commence on October 1 in Perth, with the final match taking place on November 13 at Accor Stadium in Sydney.

The Springboks team is preparing for a game against the Wallabies as part of a pre-World Cup training session. Although the Springboks players have called the series of matches between them and the Wallabies the most significant in rugby history, they need to play this final match before they can take a well-deserved rest.

Since June, the Boks team has been in test match mode, starting the season against the Barbarians in Gqeberha. After successfully hosting the Nations Cup, they proceeded to an epic series of four matches against the All Blacks.

The last of these matches took place in the USA on September 12. However, instead of returning home, the Boks decided to travel to Australia early to prepare for the Wallabies as part of 'scouting' ahead of next year's World Cup.

This concluding stage for the tired Springboks team shows all signs of a classic ambush. The Wallabies were not impressed when the Rugby Championship was cancelled so that the Boks and All Blacks could hold their own series of four matches, and the new coach, Les Kiss, likely managed to easily boost the team's morale after this perceived insult.

Furthermore, there is a goal hanging over the best team in the world. Kiss, who took over from Joe Schmidt at the end of July, knows that the Springboks will strive to finish a long and intense season on a high note.

Kiss, who previously worked as an assistant coach for the Springboks under Harry Vilhoen in 2001, stated: 'They will undoubtedly be hungry. They have 10 World Cup winners. This is a big test team. Everyone knows they play three or four people in every position. We know it will be tough this weekend, hard work, but this is our home ground... let's go and see if we can show ourselves.'

This match is scheduled for Sunday to mark exactly one year before the start of the 2027 World Cup, which Australia will host. For the Wallabies, this is another opportunity to solidify their position on the path to the tournament.

Kiss added: 'We are trying to do everything right to gradually ensure that we are maximally protected in all aspects to achieve the World Cup. The big picture is always present. Nevertheless, the mantra here and now is strong. The players have done very well with this, which is great.'

Rassi Erasmus stated that the Wallabies will present the Springboks with a completely different challenge after the intense series of matches against the New Zealand team. The Springboks conducted their first training session at the base in Terrigal, New South Wales, the day before the match against the Wallabies in Perth next Sunday. Rassi Erasmus emphasized the significance of the confrontation with Australia on home ground, given that only 13 months remain until the World Cup.

Erasmus noted that although the Springboks arrived in Australia from Baltimore after a tough four-match series against New Zealand, and had previously played Argentina, he believes the Wallabies will be significantly different from the New Zealand team, but the match in Perth is still very important.

He reminded that people have long been interested in the importance of this game. Erasmus highlighted the rich traditions of Australian rugby, mentioning that they were strong when playing great players like George Gregan and Stephen Larkham, and also noted that Australia has won the World Cup twice and was in the final in 2003.

An additional stimulus for Australia will be the status of host country for the next World Cup, while the Springboks will return to Perth during the tournament to play Romania in the third group match. Erasmus stated that it is extremely important for them to have the opportunity to play against the host nation of the World Cup in a major test match when opponents are fresh, and they arrive after a very difficult series against New Zealand.

Despite this, Erasmus does not intend to view the game as just a World Cup rehearsal. He expects the Wallabies team to be motivated to impress their fans. He added that both Argentina and New Zealand tested the Springboks, and they do not doubt that they will face a highly motivated Wallabies team, which has not lost under the new coach Les Kiss. Erasmus concluded that it will be a completely different type of game compared to the series against New Zealand, and they will need another full 80-minute game to achieve the desired result.

Captain Siya Kolisi reported that the team will maintain its core principles while adapting to the specific demands presented by the Wallabies. Kolisi emphasized the importance of preparation in Australia, noting that the team has gone through several tough battles against Australia where they sometimes lost. He also mentioned that the training went well, and it was nice to see many South Africans who came to support them in Terrigal. He clarified that the team's core values will remain the same, but since Australia is fundamentally different from New Zealand, they will have to adjust some aspects.

This ability to adapt will be one of the key tests for the Springboks as they begin the next phase of World Cup preparation. During Friday's training, a lighter topic arose when Erasmus was asked about the unusual buzz cuts of members of the Springboks management. According to available information, the haircuts are the result of a bet, but Erasmus declined to comment on the details, laughing.