Springboks v All Blacks Rugby Championship venue confirmed

New Zealand Rugby has confirmed where the All Blacks’ all-important Rugby Championship Test against the Springboks on Saturday, 15 July will be played.

The two sides are set to clash in mid-July in the first of two Tests in this calendar year.

ALSO READ: SA Rugby’s budget faces R258 million shortfall

This first encounter between the sides will be a Rugby Championship match-up in New Zealand and NZR announced on Tuesday that the match will be played at the Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland.

It will be the first time that the Springboks will play at the ground.

PICTURE | Frans Malherbe gets married

This is due to the FIFA Women’s World Cup matches that will be played around the same time at Eden Park, forcing New Zealand Rugby to find a new venue.

MUST WATCH | Siya Kolisi rips up the dance floor at Eben Etzbeth’s wedding

The stadium is mainly used for NRL matches, but did serve as Moana Pasifika’s home ground during the 2022 Super Rugby season.

ALSO READ: Zeenat Simjee to be part of Springboks World Cup management

ALL BLACKS OUT TO MAKE STATEMENT IN SHORTENED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

“The Rugby Championship is an exciting but tough draw,” said All Blacks coach Ian Foster.

“Playing the Argentinians in Argentina is an exciting challenge after not being there since 2019,” the All Blacks boss added.

“With the challenges of stadium availability in Australasia, we are delighted to play this huge South African Test at Mt Smart. We believe it’s key for the connection with our fans to have this massive game in our backyard and can’t wait.

“The Dunedin Test is also equally important for us because it’s our last chance to play in front of our fans before we head off for an exciting Rugby World Cup.”

The second Test between the sides will be a Rugby World Cup 2023 warm-up scheduled to take place at Twickenham in London on Friday, 25 August.

Of course, South Africa and New Zealand could well meet again at the World Cup in France …