France Return to Play Springboks in South Africa for First Time Since 2010

The Springboks will welcome France to South Africa for the first time since 2010 when the two nations clash in three Tests next June.

It will also be the first series of three Tests against Les Bleus since 1967. The encounters are scheduled for Pretoria, Durban and Johannesburg as announced at the Cape Town Sevens over the weekend.

The opening Test will be at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday, 10 June 2017 – France’s first visit to the home of the Blue Bulls since 1980.

The next Saturday, 17 June, the two teams will clash at Growthpoint Kings Park in Durban, scene of the epic Rugby World Cup semi-final in 1995, when the Boks won 19-15.

And the final match of the series will take place at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg on Saturday, 24 June. The last time France played in the City of Gold, they stung the Springboks with a 32-23 victory in 2001.

That was one of six French away victories over the Springboks – the two teams have met in South Africa 21 times, with the Boks winning 10, while five Tests ended in draws.

June 2017 fixtures:

10 June: Springboks v France – Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
17 June: Springboks v France – Growthpoint Kings Park, Durban
24 June: Springboks v France – Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg

Source: SARugby.net