The Springboks will have the opportunity to complete the ‘Grand Slam’ when they embark on their European tour at the end of 2010.

The opportunity to play all four home unions and complete a ‘Grand slam’ does not come around very often. In recent years only the All Blacks have achieved this with regularity.

I am sure it is something that most of the Boks will be eager to add to their impressive rugby CV’s, however they may not have the opportunity they so desire.

With an important chance to defend the Rugby World Cup in 2011, many of the players may be forced to have a rest. At this stage, talk is that most of the Boks will rest during the Currie Cup, and perhaps only be available for part of the tour, with the remaining games used to build depth and expose new talent.

The Boks open their tour with playing Ireland in the official opening of the new Aviva stadium, the redeveloped Lansdowne Road.

In consecutive weekends, there are test matches against, Wales, Scotland and England.

A match against the Barbarians is also being planned, but this match is yet to be confirmed.

Springboks end of year tour 2010:

November 6, v Ireland (Aviva Stadium, Dublin)
November 13, v Wales (Millennium Stadium, Cardiff)
November 20, v Scotland (Murrayfield, Edinburgh)
November 27, v England (Twickenham, London)
December 4, v Barbarians (TBC)