Springboks set to begin November tour at Wembley after fifth Test added
Andre Esterhuizen attacks for the Springboks last Saturday against Australia
Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks have reportedly lined up a 10th anniversary ‘Miracle of Brighton’ match with Japan that will take place in London next November on the same day that England host Australia and the All Blacks XV take on the Barbarians.
Currently preparing for their round two Rugby Championship match versus Australia in Cape Town, South Africa already have four November international matches lined up, starting away to France in Paris and then taking on Italy in Turin, Ireland in Dublin and Wales in Cardiff.
However, it has now been reported that they have pencilled in a fifth Test match, starting their tour versus Japan at Wembley on the same November 1 Saturday that Steve Borthwick’s England take on the Wallabies at Twickenham and the Baa-Baas play the AB XV at Brentford.
It was 10 years ago, in September 2015, when the Japanese shocked the Springboks in the opening round of the Rugby World Cup in Brighton. They have played each other since then, most notably when South Africa eliminated Japan from the 2019 World Cup at the quarter-final stage.
Latest high-profile encounter
However, a fixture at London’s iconic Wembley Stadium, not far from where they clashed a decade ago on the coast in Brighton, should prove attractive.
If confirmed, the match versus the Japanese would be the Springboks’ second Test in London in the space of four weeks, as they are already scheduled to play Argentina at Twickenham on October 4 in round six of the Rugby Championship.
A City AM report read: “The world champion South Africa rugby team will play at Wembley Stadium in November in a repeat of their ‘Miracle of Brighton’ match against Japan.
“The Springboks, currently playing in the southern hemisphere Rugby Championship, will head to Europe in November for their traditional tour.
“They are listed to face France on November 8, before matches against Italy in Turin, Ireland in Dublin, Wales in Cardiff. But City AM understands that they will front this autumn campaign with a match on November 1 against Japan’s Brave Blossoms.
“Japan, coached by former England boss Eddie Jones, beat Wales earlier this year and will also face Ireland and Wales across their autumn internationals campaign.
“If confirmed, the match will be the latest high-profile encounter in London between teams that are not represented by the home nations.
“Further to South Africa’s pair of matches against Japan and Argentina later this year, an All Blacks XV will take on the touring Barbarians at Brentford on November 1.”
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