The Springboks will play an additional fixture after the World Cup this year – against the British Barbarians at Twickenham on December 1.
In spite of constant complaints about the length of the season and player burnout it appears the match has been added to the commitments of the Springboks at the behest of the SA Rugby Players’ Association (SARPA).
The Players’ Association has lit on glamour fixtures as a means to swell funds – a match was staged against a so-called World XV in Leicester last year – and the Barbarians clash was announced by the association’s CEO, Piet Heymans, on Tuesday.
The World Cup Final will be on October 20 so the Springboks will have to keep themselves in some semblance of readiness for the only match to be staged at Twickenham in England’s autumn.
According to the joint Press statement on behalf of SARPA, the Barbarians and the RFU the Springboks are supportive of the fixture.
Bok skipper John Smit is quoted as saying: "It will be a great occasion. We really enjoyed playing at Twickenham last November and getting our first win there since 1997 (25-14). It is a fantastic venue, especially with the new South Stand, and we are all looking forward to returning to this world class stadium."
Bryan Habana, who scored two tries against England in Pretoria on Saturday, commented: "We do not often get the chance to play the Barbarians and to do so at such a world-famous venue will be awesome. We had a great day there last November. There are so many South Africans living in London who will not have the opportunity to see us in France and, with the World Cup still fresh in people's minds, I am sure there will be a sell-out crowd."
President of the South African Rugby Union Oregan Hoskins is also quoted: “The last time the Springboks played against the Baa-Baas was in December 2000 at the Millennium Stadium in Wales, when 68,000 rugby supporters attended. The Baa-Baas has such a rich rugby tradition we will ensure our top international players play this match and maybe even as Rugby World Cup holders.”
Rugby Football Union Business Operations Director Paul Vaughan said: "The opening of the new South Stand last November was a memorable occasion, with a fitting game against New Zealand to match. This will be the only Twickenham international fixture between August 11 (vs France) this year and the Six Nations match against Wales on February 2 next year.
"A lot of people may not be able to see Rugby World Cup matches live because of limited ticket availability but this gives them chance to see one of the pre-tournament favourites against the Barbarians at arguably the best rugby stadium in the world."
Micky Steele-Bodger, president of the Barbarians, who last played at Twickenham in May 2006, said: "This will be the sixth match between South Africa and the Barbarians and at present the Springboks have the edge, three wins to two.
“Up to now we have won in Cardiff and Dublin but not at Twickenham; we must put that right. But judging by recent results in the Super 14 series, where two South African sides (Sharks and Bulls) contested the final, and then watching the Springboks beat England twice over the last two weeks, it will be a tough challenge for us in December and we look forward to it."
