The Springboks are expected to play two Tests against the All Blacks in New Zealand next July, with Auckland and Christchurch set to host the matches, according to All Blacks coach Dave Rennie.
The fixtures have not yet been officially announced, but Rennie disclosed the likely schedule while speaking to Newstalk. He said the teams would meet twice after the Super Rugby final, with the matches taking place around two weeks after the tournament’s deciding game.
“We play each other twice in July, straight after the Super Rugby final, like two weeks after that final,” Rennie said. “We play them in Auckland and Christchurch.”
The meetings would form part of another significant season for both sides. The Springboks recently completed a series victory over New Zealand during a revamped campaign that has featured Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series and the Nations Championship.
Next year will also see the Springboks begin their defence of the World Cup title. The Rugby Championship is scheduled to take place before the global tournament, making the proposed Tests against New Zealand an important part of the build-up.
Rennie expects the two teams to face each other repeatedly before the World Cup and believes South Africa’s playing identity will remain familiar, even if there are changes to the squad.
“We’re going to play them a lot leading into the World Cup and I think their side may look a tad different, but I think the nucleus will be the same and how they play the game, I think it’ll still be pretty similar,” Rennie said.
The All Blacks coach also pointed to the possibility of another meeting at the World Cup. If both teams win their respective pools, they are likely to face one another in the quarter-finals.
“And (we’re) likely to meet in a quarter-final if both teams win their pool, which is odd, but the way it is,” he said.
The Springboks strengthened their position at the top of the World Rugby rankings after their series win over New Zealand. However, their recent defeat by Australia cost them a couple of points.
Despite that setback, South Africa remain the leading side in the rankings as they prepare for a season that could include two Tests in New Zealand, the Rugby Championship and their World Cup title defence.