Springboks RWC 2019 Fixtures

South Africa will kick off their 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan with a blockbuster opening encounter against the reigning champions, New Zealand, on Saturday 21 September in the International Stadium Yokohama.

South Africa, World Cup champions in 1995 and 2007, face three-time winners New Zealand in the first of four matches during the pool stages of the tournament. 

The contest between two teams that have won five of the eight editions of the World Cup played since its inception in 1987‚ promises to be a highlight of the pool phase and certainly the most enticing match-up of the opening weekend.

The All Blacks and Springboks have met on four occasions at the World Cup with each side winning twice.

The last time the Springboks and All Blacks clashed at the World Cup was in 2015, when New Zealand defeated South Africa by two points in an epic semi-final match at Twickenham in London, England. The Boks then overcame Argentina in the third-place playoff to clinch the bronze medal.

South Africa also have Italy, the top seed African side from the qualifiers and the repechage winner. 

The Springboks’ 2019 Rugby World Cup match schedule is (with local and SA times):

Saturday, 21 September: South Africa vs New Zealand, International Stadium Yokohama (18h45 / 11h45)

Saturday, 28 September: South Africa vs Africa 1, City of Toyota Stadium (18h45 / 11h45)

Friday, 4 October: South Africa vs Italy, Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa (18h45 / 11h45)

Tuesday, 8 October: South Africa vs Repechage winner, Kobe Misaki Stadium (19h15 / 12h15)