South Africa’s back-to-back Rugby World Cup champions, the Springboks, will return to the Eastern Cape for the first time since 2021 when they take on Italy at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in the second Test of the Castle Lager Incoming Series on 12 July 2025. SA Rugby confirmed the venues for the six home Tests on Thursday, setting the stage for an exciting international season.

The Boks will kick off their campaign against Italy at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on 5 July, marking the Azzurri’s first visit to South Africa since 2013 and their maiden Test appearance in Gauteng. Their Eastern Cape encounter will be the first between the two nations in Gqeberha since 2001.
The last time the Springboks played at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium was during two Tests against Argentina in 2021, held behind closed doors due to COVID-19 restrictions. This time, fans will be able to witness the action live as the Boks return to a packed stadium.

The Castle Lager Incoming Series concludes on 19 July with a historic showdown against Georgia at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit. It will be only the third Test between the sides, following their previous encounters at the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Sydney and in Pretoria in 2021—both played in empty stadiums due to pandemic restrictions.

Rugby Championship Title Defence
The Springboks will launch their 2025 Castle Lager Rugby Championship campaign with back-to-back home Tests against Australia—first at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg on 16 August, then at DHL Stadium in Cape Town on 23 August.

They will then embark on a challenging New Zealand tour, facing the All Blacks in Auckland on 6 September and Wellington on 13 September.

The Boks’ final home Test of the season will take place on 27 September against Argentina at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in Durban, before closing their campaign with an away fixture against the Pumas at Twickenham in London a week later.

Excitement Builds for 2025
Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus expressed his enthusiasm for the season ahead, particularly the return to Gqeberha. “The confirmation of the Test venues always brings excitement and allows us to intensify our planning,” Erasmus said. “We’ve played at most of these venues in recent years, but returning to Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium for the first time since 2021 will be special. The passionate support from our home crowds is something we value deeply, and playing in a packed stadium in the Eastern Cape will be fantastic.”

Erasmus also highlighted the team’s preparations: “We are already well into our planning phase from a coaching, logistics, and operational perspective, and it’s exciting to see how things are coming together for another challenging season.”

SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of bringing the Boks to different provinces. “With over 300,000 fans attending our home Tests last year, we are thrilled to have the team play across five provinces in 2025,” Oberholzer said. “This allows as many supporters as possible to experience the thrill of live Test rugby.”

Ticketing details will be announced in due course.

Springbok Home Fixtures – 2025

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

[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]