Head coach Warren Gatland’s side will travel to Growthpoint Kings Park in Durban for the first Test of a two-match tour against the Springboks on Saturday 14th June, kick-off 3.05pm GMT (NB. that’s 5.05pm local time and 4.05pm British Summer Time), and face the two-times Rugby World Cup winners (’95, ’07) exactly a week later in Nelspruit at the Mbombela Stadium (also 3.05pm GMT).
The home side will warm-up for the clash with Wales by facing a world XV on the 7th June and will complete their Castle Lager Incoming Series fixtures with a one off Test against Scotland at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth on 28th June.
And Wales will have a third opportunity to face the ‘Boks the following Autumn in the climactic clash of the 2014 Dove Men Series, which also sees Australia, Fiji and reigning RWC champions New Zealand visit Cardiff.
The Wallabies are first up for the four match festival at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday 8th November, kicking off at 2.30pm, with the Fiji game the following Saturday also retaining the same fan-friendly kick-off time.
The All Blacks arrive in Wales for another Saturday afternoon kick-off (5.30pm) on 22nd November and South Africa will contest the Prince William Cup on the final Saturday of the month, a week later, also kicking off at 2.30pm – with all Dove Men Series matches to be shown live on BBC.
“We have consistently said, if you want to be the best, you have to play the best and to have the IRB’s top three ranked sides, New Zealand, South Africa and Australia visiting the Millennium Stadium, along with Pacific Island nation Fiji, in the Dove Men Series this Autumn reconfirms that commitment,” said WRU Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis.
“We are in the midst of another exhilarating and tough RBS 6 Nations Campaign which, alongside the tour to South Africa and rest of the year’s fixtures, will be ideal preparation for the squad ahead of the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
“Our stated aim has been to take every opportunity to test ourselves at the highest level and give the squad the very best preparation available for the challenges ahead and we are extremely pleased with the opposition as well as the dates and, in particular, kick-off times we have been able to secure for these 2014 matches.”
South Africa’s traditional November tour to the Northern Hemisphere includes visits to Ireland, England and Italy before a fourth Test this year against Wales.
“We’re very excited about the schedule for the year, which will give Heyneke Meyer and the Springboks a proper opportunity to test themselves a little more than a year away from the 2015 Rugby World Cup,” said Jurie Roux, SARU Chief Executive.
“The four Tests in November, which will see us take on Ireland, England, Italy and Wales, will provide very good preparation in typical conditions they can expect at the World Cup. It will be a tough tour, but I know the Boks will be ready to take on the best from that part of the world.”
Springbok v Wales Fixtures
Saturday, 14 June: Springboks v Wales, Growthpoint Kings Park, Durban, 3.05pm (GMT).
Saturday, 21 June: Springboks v Wales, Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit, 3.05pm (GMT).
Wales’ Dove Men Series 2014
Saturday, 8th November: Wales v Australia, Millennium Stadium, 2.30 pm
Saturday, 15th November: Wales v Fiji, Millennium Stadium, 2.30pm
Saturday, 22nd November: Wales v New Zealand, Millennium Stadium, 5.30pm
Saturday, 29th November: Wales v South Africa, 2.30pm
