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It’s nearly four years since Siya Kolisi, the South African rugby team’s first black captain, lifted the Webb Ellis Cup aloft in Yokohama, and in the autumn of 2023, the Springboks will head to France with the aim of retaining their title -– and sealing a record fourth Rugby World Cup victory in the process.

However, since their 32-12 defeat of England in November 2019, it’s been a mixed few years for the Rainbow Nation.

The Covid-19 pandemic put on hold on any chance of the Springboks playing international rugby in 2020, and they hosted the British & Irish Lions inside empty stadiums in the summer of 2021.

Since then, South Africa have been doing their best to make up for lost time in their preparations for 2023. First on the 2022 agenda was a three-test series against Wales, which South Africa hosted and won 2-1. In the Rugby Championship, four wins and two defeats took the Springboks to the precipice of a first title since 2019 – but the All Blacks pipped them by a solitary point.

Jacques Nienaber’s side began last autumn with losses to European heavyweights Ireland and France, but a 63-21 drubbing of Italy got their campaign back on track before closing out the year with a 27-13 win at Twickenham that proved to be the final game in charge for England coach Eddie Jones.

The shortened 2023 Rugby Championship began with a bang for South Africa, who put on a show in Pretoria to smash Australia 43-12, with Kurt-Lee Arendse crossing for three of their six tries. The Boks were second-best the following week in Auckland, losing 35-20 to the All Blacks, but responded to edge Argentina 22-21 in Johannesburg and finish second in the table.

If their form was inconsistent in the 12 months approaching the World Cup, the three games directly before the tournament will have struck fear down the sides of all other 19 competing nations. A 24-13 defeat of Argentina was closely-fought, but their next contest was anything but, putting Wales to the sword with an eight-try, 52-16 battering in Cardiff.

If their Welsh thumping wasn’t a big enough statement of intent for the Springboks, their result the following week certainly fits the bill, inflicting a defeat of record-breaking margin on the mighty All Blacks and notching five tries in a 35-7 victory at Twickenham.

With their tails up, South Africa have been placed in the tough Pool B for the World Cup, alongside Scotland, Romania, Tonga, and world number one side Ireland. Edging the two Six Nations powerhouses will be no mean feat, but with the team hitting form just at the right time, Springbok optimism is as high as it’s been since the full-time whistle blew in Yokohama.

South Africa Rugby Union fixtures 2023

Opponent Date Venue Competition
Australia (H) Jul 9, 2023 Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria 2023 Rugby Championship
New Zealand (A) Jul 15, 2023 Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland 2023 Rugby Championship
Argentina (H) Jul 29, 2023 Ellis Park, Johannesburg 2023 Rugby Championship
Argentina (A) Aug 5, 2023 Jose Amalfitani, Buenos Aires RWC2023 warm-up
Wales (A) Aug 19, 2023 Principality Stadium, Cardiff RWC2023 warm-up
New Zealand (N) Aug 25, 2023 Twickenham Stadium, London RWC2023 warm-up
Scotland Sept 10, 2023 Stade Velodrome, Marseille Rugby World Cup 2023
Romania Sept 17, 2023 Matmut Atlantique, Bordeaux Rugby World Cup 2023
Ireland Sept 23, 2023 Stade de France, Saint-Denis Rugby World Cup 2023
Tonga Oct 1, 2023 Stade Velodrome, Marseille Rugby World Cup 2023

South Africa Rugby Union results 2023

Opponent Date Result Competition
Australia (H) Jul 9, 2023 43-12 W 2023 Rugby Championship
New Zealand (A) Jul 15, 2023 35-20 L 2023 Rugby Championship
Argentina (H) Jul 29, 2023 22-21 W 2023 Rugby Championship
Argentina (A) Aug 5, 2023 13-24 W RWC2023 warm-up
Wales (A) Aug 19, 2023 16-52 W RWC2023 warm-up
New Zealand (N) Aug 25, 2023 35-7 W RWC2023 warm-up
Scotland Sept 10, 2023 Rugby World Cup 2023 Pool B
Romania Sept 17, 2023 Rugby World Cup 2023 Pool B
Ireland Sept 23, 2023 Rugby World Cup 2023 Pool B
Tonga Oct 1, 2023 Rugby World Cup 2023 Pool B

How did South Africa win the 2019 Rugby World Cup?

South Africa’s bid to go back-to-back in France will need them to draw on the magic and power that saw them defeat England in Yokohama four years ago. However, the Springboks’ 2019 campaign didn’t get off to an ideal start.

Just like in 2023, the Springboks were joined in Pool B by the side then-top of World Rugby’s rankings, and lost 23-13 to New Zealand in their opening game. They subsequently recorded big victories over Namibia, Italy, Canada and quarter-finalists Japan to reach the last four, and edged Wales 19-16 to set up a showdown with Eddie Jones’ England.

Despite England being favourites following their 19-7 semi-final win over the All Blacks, the Boks saved their best performance for last, never going behind in the match and scoring two late tries through Makazole Mapimpi and Cheslin Kolbe to seal a 32-12 victory a third World Cup success.

This list will be updated as South Africa’s results during the year are confirmed, including potential knockout matches at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

MORE: Every side’s route to the final as Rugby World Cup 2023 nears kick-off

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