The Springboks will kick-off their end of year tour with a one-off Test against Japan at London’s Wembley Stadium on Saturday, 1 November.
Kick-off is at 16:10 (UK time).
This will be only the fourth ever meeting between South Africa and Japan.
The first ever clash between the two nations took place – unforgettably for Springbok fans – during the 2015 Rugby World Cup when Eddie Jones’s Brave Blossoms upset South Africa 34-32 in the ‘Miracle of Brighton’.
Four years later, the Springboks did win two Tests within the space of seven weeks against Japan, firstly 41-7 in Saitama and then 26-3 in the quarter-finals of the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Tokyo.
| Date | Result | Venue |
| 19 Sept 2015 | Lost 34-32 | Brighton Community Stadium, Brighton |
| 6 Sept 2019 | Won 41-7 | Kumagaya Rugby Stadium, Saitama |
| 20 Oct 2019 | Won 26-3 | Tokyo Stadium, Chofu, Tokyo |
Tests at Wembley
South Africa have only played one official Test at Wembley previously, when Gary Teichmann led the Springboks, coached at the time by Nick Mallett, to a 28-20 win over Wales in November 1998.
The Springboks did also play a match at the iconic north London venue in 2016, when they drew 31-all against the Barbarians.
‘High-tempo rugby’
Current Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus expressed his delight at the addition of the Japan clash to South Africa’s Test schedule.
“We are delighted to be starting off our tour of the northern hemisphere with a match against Japan at the iconic Wembley Stadium, especially ahead of a challenging Outgoing Tour which kicks off a week later with the first official Test of the November window against France in Paris,” said Erasmus.
“The last time the Springboks played at Wembley was in 2016 against the Barbarians, in a tense affair which went down to the wire in a 31-31 drawn match.
“The Brave Blossoms are renowned for playing fast, attacking, high-tempo rugby – which has been prevalent in our last two encounters, before and during the Rugby World Cup in Japan in 2019.
“We have had fantastic support from our fans in the UK for our fixtures in London over the past few years and I am sure this match will be no different, especially being at one of the most famous sporting venues in the world.”
Get your tickets
Tickets for the match are now on sale via Ticketmaster.co.uk, starting from £55* for adults and £27.50* for Under-16s.
Adult Group Rates are available with a 10% discount on 10 or more tickets purchased. Hospitality packages are also available, visit www.wembleystadium.com/experiences.
*Booking fees apply.
Have you ever watched a match at Wembley Stadium?
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