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.
On this day, the Springboks lifted the Webb Ellis Cup for the third time, after defeating England in the 2019 Rugby World Cup final. 🏆
Stay tuned for more Rugby World Cup memories throughout the day! #StrongerTogether@MTNza pic.twitter.com/jDszXB8heL
— Springboks (@Springboks) November 2, 2020
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.
#Springboks flyer Kurt-Lee Arendse has been dancing his way past defenders all year 🕺🏽 #StrongerTogether #StrongerForever #CastleOutgoingTour #ENGvRSA pic.twitter.com/7STwbVVmDi
— Springboks (@Springboks) November 29, 2022
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
