All Blacks await champion Boks
Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:20
The Springboks will begin their defence of the Tri-Nations title where they clinched it this season – in New Zealand.
Peter de Villiers' men open the tournament on Saturday, July 10 at the venue of the World Cup Final in 2011 - with their first match at Eden Park in Auckland since 2001. A week later they are in Wellington and then finish their three-week road trip against Australia in Brisbane on July 24.
The team then has a three-week break until the start of another three-week run of matches - with the All Blacks' first visit to Johannesburg since 2004 and then two more Highveld matches against the Wallabies in Pretoria and Bloemfontein.
The venues for the Springboks' mid-year Tests in June still have to be confirmed.
The Boks face a two-Test series against Italy and a one-off match against France.
However, "exclusive use" periods in force as part of the 2010 Soccer World Cup have put the majority of rugby venues off limits.
World Cup venues are handed over to FIFA 15 days before the start of the World Cup while major sporting events at non-FIFA venues in hosting cities are prohibited seven days before and after the World Cup. The FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 11.
"We have met with the LOC [Local Organising Committee] and have asked for modest relaxations in some areas," said Andy Marinos, acting Managing Director of SA Rugby.
"We have requested a follow-up meeting in the near future with the LOC and FIFA in the hope of having a non-FIFA venue, such as Newlands, made available."
Springbok schedule for 2010:
Saturday, June 12: v France - TBC
Saturday, June 19: v Italy - TBC
Saturday, June 26: v Italy - TBC
Saturday, July 10: v New Zealand - Auckland
Saturday, July 17: v New Zealand - Wellington
Saturday, July 24:
v Australia - Brisbane
Saturday, August 21: v New Zealand - Johannesburg
Saturday, August 28: v Australia - Pretoria
Saturday, September 4: v Australia - Bloemfontein
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