The Springboks will host the All Blacks in two Rugby Championship Tests later this year, SA Rugby has confirmed.
The rugby governing body on Tuesday announced the Springboks' home Test schedule for 2022, with Wales also visiting South Africa for three Tests in July. All blacks vs Boks 2022 live
The Boks will play two home Rugby Championship Tests against New Zealand - at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit (6 August) and Ellis Park in Johannesburg (13 (August) - and one against Argentina at Kings Park in Durban (24 September).
It will be the first time since 2018 that the All Blacks visit these shores.
Siya Kolisi's charges will also travel for two away Rugby Championship Tests against Australia at yet to be determined venues (27 August and 3 September) and one away encounter against Argentina in Buenos Aires (17 September).
The Welsh, meanwhile, are set to return to South Africa for the first time since 2014 as the Boks kick off their season with three Tests against the Dragons - at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria (2 July), Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein (9 July) and Cape Town Stadium (16 July).
The Boks have only played three previous Tests at the Mbombela Stadium, winning them all, against Scotland in 2013 (30-17), Wales in 2014 (31-30) and Argentina in 2016 (30-23).
The international season starts with a three-Test tour by Wales to the country in July. The Dragons have never beaten the Springboks in South Africa in 10 previous meetings but came agonisingly close on their last visit in 2014 when a last-minute penalty try rescued the Boks in Nelspruit.
The three Tests against Wales will take place in Pretoria, Bloemfontein and Cape Town on 2, 9 and 16 July. It will serve as a tough precursor to the Rugby Championship and in particular, the two-Test visit by the All Blacks.
The Rugby Championship continues after New Zealand’s visit with further matches in Australia and Argentina. The Boks face the Wallabies twice in venues yet to be decided, before flying on to Buenos Aires to meet the Pumas at the Velez Sarsfield Stadium where they have met three times previously. The Boks have won each of those clashes.
Argentina then comes to South Africa for one match at King’s Park in Durban to conclude the 2022 Rugby Championship.
While there is relief that SA Rugby were able to reveal such a strong home schedule, chief executive Jurie Roux did so with caution. Springboks All Blacks Rugby Championship Tests
“It’s exciting to announce such a strong list of Springbok fixtures this season after a successful 2021 season for the team, and I have no doubt that Jacques Nienaber (Springbok coach), his management team and the players will do their best to build on those achievements this season,” said Roux.
