Springboks host Pumas in Rugby Championship return
The Springboks will make their return to the Rugby Championship with two home Tests against Argentina in August before embarking on a four-match tour of Australasia.
The 2021 tournament schedule was announced by SANZAAR on Friday morning.
This year’s 12-match tournament will see two matches played in South Africa, five in Australia and five in New Zealand.
The Tests in South Africa will see Argentina play the Springboks twice before both teams head to Australia and New Zealand for the remainder of the tournament.
The match schedule has been amended to accommodate the ongoing effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to the 2021 schedule, the Springboks open their campaign against Argentina on Saturday 14 August, a week after the conclusion of the Lions Series, before the second Test against the Pumas on 21 August, before travelling to Australia.
Next on the fixture list are the Wallabies, on 11 and 18 September, before the Springboks conclude their commitments with two Tests against the All Blacks in New Zealand on consecutive weekends – 25 September and 2 October.
Rassie Erasmus, Director of Rugby, says the Springboks are delighted at the prospects of resuming their rivalry with their southern hemisphere opponents.
“Following the unfortunate Covid-related disruptions of last year, we are very much looking forward to resume playing against the Pumas, Wallabies and the All Blacks.
“There is a great rivalry between us, but we also have a lot of respect for each other and have built good friendships over many years of southern hemisphere competition.
“Playing the All Blacks in their backyard is a massive challenge, Argentina showed their growing stature last year while the Wallabies are always tough opponents, especially on their home turf.”
The 2021 Castle Lager Rugby Championship draw (host country in brackets):
Saturday 14 August
Springboks v Argentina (South Africa)
Saturday 21 August
Argentina v Springboks (South Africa)
Australia v New Zealand (Australia) *
Saturday 28 August
New Zealand v Australia (New Zealand) *
Saturday 4 September – bye week
Saturday 11 September
New Zealand v Argentina (New Zealand)
Springboks v Australia (Australia)
Saturday 18 September
Argentina v New Zealand (New Zealand)
Australia v Springboks (Australia)
Saturday 25 September
New Zealand v Springboks (New Zealand)
Australia v Argentina (Australia)
Saturday 2 October
Springboks v New Zealand (New Zealand)
Argentina v Australia (Australia)
