Springboks to tackle Fiji in 2027 Rugby World Cup warm-up Test in Australia

As part of their 2027 Rugby World Cup preparations, the Springboks will play a Test against Fiji in Australia next year.

The match, dubbed the “Contest on the Coast”, will take place at polytec Stadium in Gosford, north of Sydney on Saturday, 18 September 2027.

The Boks will start their World Cup defence just over two weeks later when they face Italy in Adelaide on Sunday, 3 October 2027.

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It will be the fourth Test between the Springboks and the Flying Fijians, with the Boks leading the head-to-head stakes 3-0. South Africa beat Fiji 43-18 at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria in 1996, 37-20 in a thrilling 2007 World Cup quarter-final in Marseille, and 49-3 at the 2011 World Cup in Wellington.

“We are very excited about the announcement of the clash against Fiji as part of our preparations for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, and for the opportunity to play another Test match in Gosford on the Central Coast after last facing the Pacific Islanders there in 2004,” said Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus.

“Fiji are a quality team who have consistently tested some of the top sides in the world over the last few years, and they proved that they can be a force to be reckoned with by advancing to the quarter-finals of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, so it’s certainly going to be a great test for our team before the international spectacle in Australia.

“They are one of the top 10 ranked teams in the world, and they are a physical and talented side who will undoubtedly want to take full advantage of the match, similarly to us, before the Rugby World Cup kicks off.

“I’d like to thank everyone who made this possible from the Central Coast and SA Rugby, and I have no