Boks to play 15 Tests, Baabaas in 2025

The world champion Springboks are looking to add two more Tests to their 2025 schedule and will also face the Barbarians in June.

While details on the additions to the confirmed 13-Test schedule remain undisclosed, Rassie Erasmus revealed in a press conference on Wednesday he has made a request to increase the schedule to 15 Tests, ensuring players are in camp for 137 days. 

The Boks will open their season against the Barbarians on 28 June before the first Tests of the year; two against Italy – at Loftus Versfeld (5 July) and in Gqeberha (12 July) – and a clash with Georgia in Nelspruit (19 July).

The Boks will then begin the defence of their Rugby Championship title, starting with two home Tests against Australia in Johannesburg (16 August) and Cape Town (23 August). Back-to-back fixtures in New Zealand (6 and 13 September) precede a home Test against Argentina in Durban (27 September) and a Twickenham rematch with the Pumas (4 October).

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“We are hoping for 15 [Tests], and they should be confirmed soon,” Erasmus said. “We have a tough season, but we need that. We still want to filter players and give others opportunities.”

The Bok coach is balancing long-term planning with the need to stay competitive, knowing some players may not make it to 2027. “We can’t plan a guy’s career just around a World Cup. If he is the best in his position, it would be unfair not to pick him,” Erasmus said. “That’s why we want 15 (Tests) – to give other guys a chance.”

Venues for three of the Boks’ year-end Tests have been confirmed, with Erasmus’ men set to face France at Stade de France in Paris (8 November), Italy at Allianz Stadium in Turin (22 November), and Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin (29 November). The location of their fourth Test, against Wales, is yet to be announced but is pencilled in to be played in Cardiff.

2025 Springbok schedule*:
28 Jun: Barbarians, TBC
5 Jul: Italy, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
12 Jul: Italy, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha
19 Jul: Georgia, Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
16 Aug: Australia, Ellis Park, Johannesburg
23 Aug: Australia, Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
6 Sep: New Zealand, Eden Park, Auckland
13 Sep: New Zealand, Sky Stadium, Wellington
27 Sep: Argentina, Kings Park, Durban
4 Oct: Argentina at Twickenham, London
8 Nov: France, Stade de France, Paris
15 Nov: Italy, Allianz Stadium, Turin
22 Nov: Ireland, Aviva Stadium, Dublin
29 Nov: Wales, Cardiff
*excludes two additional Tests TBC

Photo: @Springboks/Twitter