The wait is over, Bok fans! South African rugby’s world champions are coming to a stadium near you in 2025 — and the Eastern Cape is back on the map for the first time in four years.
SA Rugby has locked in the six home venues for the Springboks’ 2025 Test season, and it’s a fantastic spread across the country, from Pretoria to Nelspruit, Cape Town to Durban, and a special return to Gqeberha, where the Boks will once again ignite Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
BACK-TO-BACK ACTION KICKS OFF WITH ITALY
The Castle Lager Incoming Series opens at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on 5 July, as the Boks welcome Italy for their first visit to South Africa since 2013. For Gauteng fans, this is a rare chance to see the Italians in action on local soil.
A week later, on 12 July, the action shifts to Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha, where the Boks and Italy will face off again — the first time these two teams have met in the Eastern Cape since way back in 2001.
This will also mark the Boks’ first game in Gqeberha since 2021, when they played behind closed doors due to COVID restrictions. This time, the stadium is set to rock with passionate home support.
MBOMBELA HOSTS GEORGIA IN HISTORIC CLASH
On 19 July, the Boks head to the Lowveld for a rare encounter with Georgia at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit. It will be only the third ever Test between these two sides — the previous meetings were at the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Sydney and the COVID-affected clash in Pretoria in 2021, which was also played behind closed doors.
RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP TAKES THE BOKS ACROSS SOUTH AFRICA
The Castle Lager Rugby Championship kicks off on 16 August, with the Springboks facing Australia at the iconic Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg. This is Bok rugby in its spiritual home, and you know the Lions Den will be buzzing.
A week later, on 23 August, the Boks and Wallabies collide again at DHL Stadium in Cape Town, where the atmosphere is always electric.
The Boks’ final home Test of 2025 comes on 27 September, when they host Argentina at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in Durban, where the Shark Tank will be in full voice.
ROAD TRIP TO NEW ZEALAND AND LONDON SHOWDOWN
After their two home Tests, the Boks will head to New Zealand for back-to-back clashes with the All Blacks — first in Auckland on 6 September, followed by a return to Wellington on 13 September.
The final fixture of the Rugby Championship sees the Boks face Argentina at the Allianz Stadium in London on 4 October, giving South African expats a golden chance to witness their team live in the UK capital.
RASSIE FIRED UP FOR 2025
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus welcomed the confirmation of the venues, saying it allows the coaching and logistics teams to sharpen their plans for a bumper season.
“We’ve played at most of these venues in recent years, so we know them well, but returning to Gqeberha is particularly exciting. That’s a passionate rugby region, and playing in front of a full house there will be very special,” said Erasmus.
Erasmus also emphasized that the Bok fans play a massive role in lifting the team, with over 300,000 supporters attending home Tests in 2024. This year, SA Rugby is spreading the love, ensuring supporters in five different provinces get to witness the world champions live.
SA RUGBY CEO BACKS THE PLAN
SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer echoed the excitement, saying the diverse venues give all South Africans a chance to be part of the action.
“The Boks belong to the whole country, and spreading the Tests around helps make sure that passionate supporters from all corners of South Africa can experience the magic live,” Oberholzer said.
Ticket details will be announced soon, so fans are advised to stay tuned.
SPRINGBOKS’ 2025 HOME FIXTURES AT A GLANCE
Castle Lager Incoming Series
📅 5 July: South Africa vs Italy – Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
📅 12 July: South Africa vs Italy – Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha
📅 19 July: South Africa vs Georgia – Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
Castle Lager Rugby Championship
📅 16 August: South Africa vs Australia – Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
📅 23 August: South Africa vs Australia – DHL Stadium, Cape Town
📅 27 September: South Africa vs Argentina – Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
Away Fixtures
📅 6 September: New Zealand vs South Africa – Auckland
📅 13 September: New Zealand vs South Africa – Wellington
📅 4 October: Argentina vs South Africa – Allianz Stadium, London
🗞️ Story by justplainsport.com/
#JustPlainSport 🇿🇦 | #Springboks #Bokke #RugbyChampionship #SouthAfricaRugby #BokkeInGqeberha #URC2025 #CastleLagerIncomingSeries
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