NMB Stadium: Twitter
The Springboks will start the defence of their Castle Lager Rugby Championship title against Argentina when they return to the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium next month.
SA Rugby announced on Monday that the two Tests against Los Pumas will be played on consecutive weekends straight after the Castle Lager Lions Series and are scheduled for 14 and 21 August.
Both matches will kick off at 17h05 as the Springboks return to Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium for the first time since 29 September 2018 when they beat Australia 23-12 in the penultimate round of the Castle Lager Rugby Championship.
“We are very grateful to Argentina for having agreed to play their home match against the Boks in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship here in South Africa,” said SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux. “Unfortunately, there is little prospect that spectators will be allowed to attend matches, but we are pleased to be returning to the Eastern Cape for these two important Test matches.”
The two matches against Argentina mark South Africa’s return to the Castle Lager Rugby Championship, along with Australia and New Zealand, after missing out in 2020 when the Springboks were due to defend the title.
Executive Mayor Nqaba Bhanga said Nelson Mandela Bay was proud to be hosting the Springboks and Argentina for these two important Test matches.
“The hosting of these matches is especially bitter-sweet as we mourn the recent loss to Covid-19 of EPRU President Andre Rademan, a stalwart of rugby in our Metro and Province,” said Mayor Bhanga.
Argentina’s last visit to the Friendly City was in 2017 when the Boks scored four tries in a comprehensive 37-15 win.
The Springboks have an excellent record at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, having won five and drawn one of their six matches at the venue.
