Rugby fans in the Eastern Cape will get to watch the Springboks for the first time in seven years when Rassie Erasmus and his world champions host Italy at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha .
The game will be played on July 12, and will be second Test of their series against the Italians. The first Test will be played at Loftus Versfeld in Tshwane a week earlier on July 5.
In 2021, the Springboks played two games against Argentina in Gqeberha. But due to the Covid-19 pandemic at the time, the games were played behind closed doors and there were no fans allowed in the stadium.
The last time fans in Gqeberha got to watch the Springboks was a Rugby Championship clash against Australia in 2018, won 23-12 by the men in green and gold.
Mbombela Stadium in Mbombela will host the Springboks' Test against Georgia on July 19.