Springboks hosting Wales for 3 tests in July

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South Africa will welcome Wales to the republic for the first time since 2014 for a three-test rugby series in July.

The world champion Springboks will face Wales on July 2 in Pretoria, July 9 in Bloemfontein and July 16 in Cape Town.

The Springboks have won their last two tests against Wales — 19-16 in the 2019 Rugby World Cup semifinals in Yokohama, and 23-18 last November in Cardiff — and never lost to the visitors in South Africa.

After the tour, South Africa then launches its Rugby Championship campaign with consecutive home tests against New Zealand on Aug. 6 in Nelspruit and Aug. 13 in Johannesburg.

It will play twice in Australia and once in Argentina, and finish the championship with a home game against the Pumas on Sept. 24.

“Pending the return of crowds to our tests and with the COVID-19 pandemic still presenting challenges throughout the world, we understand the fluid nature of match schedules,” SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux said in a statement on Tuesday, “but it is important for us that the team face quality opposition as we gear up to the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.”

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