Photo Credit: Speedshots.co.za
South Africa and England will meet for the first time since the 2019 Rugby World Cup final when they clash at Twickenham on 20 November 2021 as part of the Springboks’ three-match tour of Europe.
England announced the big clash on Tuesday as part of their 2021 Autumn Internationals.
The announcement of the Twickenham encounter is the second confirmation of the Boks’ three-match tour of Europe in November 2021, following on last week’s announcement of the Test against Scotland a week earlier, on 13 November in Edinburgh.
The match at Twickenham will elicit fond memories for Springbok fans as the South Africans’ last match against England was a superb 32-12 victory at the International Stadium Yokohama in Japan to capture their third RWC crown.
This is also the Springboks’ first trip to Twickenham since 2018, when England narrowly edged the Boks by 12-11. Prior to that drama-filled encounter, the Springboks had beaten England 2-1 in a Castle Lager Incoming Series at home, the first time Rassie Erasmus took charge of the Boks on home soil.
Although the occasion is almost a full year away, Erasmus points to the growing anticipation in both countries for the clash at Twickenham, where the Boks last beat England in 2014.
“Any match involving England and the Springboks is always special,” reckons Erasmus.
“England are an incredibly proud rugby nation and in Eddie Jones, they have an astute coach who will no doubt be working on a plan to outsmart the Springboks for our rematch at Twickenham.
“The history and rivalry between our two countries always make for a great contest and we are looking forward to play the English at their Twickenham fortress where it will require a special performance to match them.”
England head coach Eddie Jones said: “These will be some good games of rugby and tough tests for us as we work to improve ourselves as a team.
“South Africa are world champions and we’ll be looking to benchmark ourselves against them.
“We’ve not had the chance to play southern hemisphere teams this year, so it will be a good chance to see where we are up to and hopefully some great rugby for our supporters to enjoy.”
The name of the Springboks' third opponent, for the opening match of their European tour on 6 November next year, will be revealed in due course.
Springboks' 2021 European Tour opponents:
6 November: TBC
13 November: Scotland at BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh
20 November: England at Twickenham, London