South Africa to face New Zealand at Twickenham in 2023 Rugby World Cup warm-up

World champions South Africa will face New Zealand in a 2023 Rugby World Cup warm-up at Twickenham in August next year, two weeks before the tournament in France kicks off.

The pair will meet at England’s national rugby union stadium for just the second time as teams begin to firm up their preparations for the tournament, with the Springboks also booking a clash against Wales a week prior.

Having faltered in the semi-finals to England at Japan 2019, the All Blacks will be out to chase a first world title since 2015, when they defeated rivals Australia – with their last Twickenham meeting with South Africa coming in the last four of that tournament.

“The Springboks and All Blacks share one of the greatest rivalries in rugby, and to face them at Twickenham will be an exciting experience for the players and our fans,” said Springboks director of rugby Rassie Erasmus.

“The match will take place shortly before we kick off our World Cup campaign, and both this encounter and the Test against Wales will be vital for us to measure ourselves before the competition and to put the final building in blocks in place so that we can enter the showpiece in the desired form.”

South Africa will compete in Pool B alongside Ireland, Scotland, Tonga and Romania at next year’s tournament, while New Zealand will fight it out in Pool A with hosts France alongside Italy, Uruguay and Namibia.