The Springboks start off their home season in 2010 with a single test against France, before two test matches against Italy.
The venues are yet to be confirmed, as the 2010 Soccer World Cup has put some major rugby venues off limits.
The Boks will then have a 3 week break before starting their Tri-nations campaign.
The Boks open the tournament by playing the All Blacks at Eden Park for the first time since 2001, and then move to Wellington for a second test against the All Blacks. From there they move to Brisbane, a ground that has not been kind for them in recent times, to play the Wallabies.
For the home leg of the Tri-nations, the Boks have made a smart moving in scheduling another 3 consecutive test matches (because they are the only side who has to do this twice, it does disadvantage the Boks) all on the Highveld. The Australasian sides don’t have as good a record, and don’t enjoy playing on the Highveld nearly as much, so it’s a smart move.
First will be the All Blacks at Ellis Park in their first trip their since 2004 (why has it been so long?) before facing the Wallabies at Loftus Versfeld and Bloemfontein.
Springboks’ International fixtures for 2010:
Springbok Home Test Matches (venues to be confirmed):
June 12 – South Africa v France, Newlands
June 19 – South Africa v Italy, TBC
June 26 – South Africa v Italy, TBC
2010 Tri-nations schedule:
July 10 – New Zealand v South Africa, Auckland
July 17 – New Zealand v South Africa, Wellington
July 24 – Australia v South Africa, Brisbane
July 31, Australia v New Zealand, Melbourne
August 7 – New Zealand v Australia, Christchurch
August 21, South Africa v New Zealand, Johannesburg
August 28 – South Africa v Australia, Pretoria
September 4 – South Africa v Australia, Bloemfontein
September 11 – Australia v New Zealand, Sydney
Why are the Boks playing against Wales in June?
What were the criteria for selection and why are some Super 14 finalists playing, but not all, especially the top Boks?
The papers have been noticably quiet about these points.
Hi Don,
How are you?
The game was only recently finalised and the Boks were invited to play in Wales to celebrate 10 seasons at the Millenium stadium (The Boks played the first game there in 1999). It was an honour that SARU would not turn down, even though de Villiers didn’t really want to have to play it.
For that reason his original plan was to play a team of overseas based Boks, to allow his top side to prepare for France. What he didn’t want was to have to take players after a tough Super 14 overseas, and then come back to SA for a test against France. That is why I think very few of those players selected for the Welsh game will play against France.
de Villiers originally was not going to select any Bulls or Stormers players, but I think he reduced the number of overseas based players because he really wants SA based players, and he has selected players from the Bulls and Stormers who are not his first choice Boks (or likely to have had played numerous games over the last few seasons).
Hope that answers your questions! What did you think of the Bok side?
Good site you have here, Sanjay. I’m interested to know whether you think that the Boks will beat the French on June 12. As you will know the French team is very very good.
Hi Marilyn
Thanks for your comments. I am heading to Cape Town on Monday for the test, hopefully I’ll be able to pick up the mood in the camps.
Whilst I am one-eyed, I believe the Boks will be targeting this game and feel they owe the French as the French have a good recent record against the Boks. At sea level, the Boks won’t have the same advantage as altitude, and I think there is little to choose between the sides. Much will come down to the day.
Both teams are similar too, in that many of their players are tired and need a rest, so other than home ground advantage, neither side has too many advantages.
Hopefully I’ll write a post later this week with my preview, time permitting. What are your thoughts Marilyn? Any predictions?
Sanjay,
As you say the players on both sides are tired. The Coqs, I know, are looking forward to their summer holiday before starting a new season. Football is also very much overshadowing rugby right now (for obvious reasons!) and, like everybody else, our rugby players want to relax in front of their tv sets with a beer and a bite to eat while watching the matches.
I would therefore say that the Boks will beat the Coqs on the 12th.
There is another reason why I say this: French sportsmen/women are notorious for not being ‘good travellers’. They are rather like Camembert cheese: excellent at home, but not so good in export. (Same goes here for our footballers, currently in Knysna preparing for their first match.)
I also can’t see the French do much against Morne Steyn’s drop kicks.
I would of course – sorry to say this – hate the French to lose… I will always support the Boks, BUT when they play the French I have a real problem. So, watching on the 12th, I will yet again have a problem because I love Morne Steyn and Pierre Spies.