13 fixtures in 2024: How many Tests will Springboks win?
22/04/2024 18:45
On Monday it was confirmed that the Springboks will finish their 2024 season against Wales, which comes after it was initially thought that the world champions would face France on the end-of-year tour.
The Springboks will of course also start their season against Wales, and here is a look at the full 13 confirmed fixtures.
Springboks’ 2024 fixtures:
Saturday, 22 June: SA vs Wales (Twickenham, London)
Saturday, 6 July: SA vs Ireland (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
Saturday, 13 July: SA vs Ireland (Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban)
Saturday, 20 July: SA vs Portugal (Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein)
Saturday, 10 August: Australia vs SA (Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane)
Saturday, 17 August: Australia vs SA (Optus Stadium, Perth)
Saturday, 31 August: SA vs New Zealand (Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg)
Saturday, 7 September: SA v New Zealand (DHL Stadium, Cape Town)
Saturday, 21 September: Argentina v SA (Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades, Santiago)
Saturday, 28 September: SA v Argentina (Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit)
Sunday, 10 November: Scotland vs SA (Murrayfield, Edinburgh)
Saturday, 16 November: England vs SA (Twickenham, London)
Saturday, 23 November: Wales vs SA (Principality Stadium, Cardiff)
So, realistically, how many matches might the Springboks win?
A victory against Wales at Twickenham would generally be an almost certain bet, but the majority of the Springboks’ overseas-based players will not be available due to the fact it falls outside the international window. Nevertheless, our prediction is that a second-string side will still be strong enough edge a victory.
In the two-Test series against Ireland, it’s likely to be a thriller, and there is every chance it could be shared at one win apiece.
The Springboks should then win their next three games against Portugal and the two against the Wallabies, although they have not always had the best record in Australia.
When it comes to the fixtures against the All Blacks, the Springboks should be expected to win on the highveld. But it would not be a huge surprise to see New Zealand bounce back in Cape Town where they generally have huge support.
We’d then back South Africa to win both games against Argentina in the Rugby Championship before heading on the end-of-year tour.
All three of those matches will be extremely challenging, but our prediction is that the Springboks will return with two wins out of three.
Ultimately, our prediction is that the Springboks will emerge triumphant in 10 out of 13 games this year for a 77% win return that certainly would not be bad.
*Let us know in the comments section how many games you predict the Springboks will win?
View from the top
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus looked forward to an enthralling tour in November and said: "As a team we want to measure ourselves against the top sides in the world consistently, and facing Scotland, Wales, and England on the year-end tour, two of which we faced in the World Cup, will be fantastic for the team and the players.
"Wales may have had a disappointing Six Nations campaign, while Scotland won two of their five matches and England three, but they are always a force to be reckoned with at home, so we know we have to be at the top of our game when we line up against them."
Erasmus added: "We have a challenging season ahead, which features home Test series against Ireland in the Castle Lager Incoming Series and New Zealand in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship, as well a Test against Portugal, two matches against Australia and Argentina, respectively.
"To face Scotland, England and Wales at the end of the year will certainly spice things up for the team, so we are really looking forward to the season."
