Boks set to face Fiji in World Cup warm-up clash

The Boks face Fiji in a blockbuster RWC 2027 warm-up at Gosford's polytec Stadium, three-peat glory awaits, but the Flying Fijians won't make it easy.

The Springboks will take on the Flying Fijians in a mouth-watering Rugby World Cup warm-up Test at polytec Stadium in Gosford, north of Sydney, on Saturday, 18 September 2027, SA Rugby revealed in a statement.

Dubbed the Contest on the Coast, this clash is only the fourth meeting between these two rugby nations and is set to be a proper pre-tournament statement.

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Kick-off is confirmed for 18h00 AEST (10h00 SA time), and the Boks hit the turf just over two weeks later to begin their RWC title defence against Italy in Adelaide on 3 October.

Three-peat on the horizon

The four-time world champions arrive in Gosford with history in their sights. A third consecutive title would cement South Africa's status as the greatest dynasty in the history of the game, and Rassie Erasmus knows this warm-up carries real weight.

“We are very excited about this clash against Fiji,” Erasmus said in a statement. "They proved they can be a force to be reckoned with by reaching the quarter-finals of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, and as a top-10 ranked side, they are physical, talented, and will come at us hard. It's going to be a great test before the tournament kicks off."

Fiji Ready to bring the fireworks

The Flying Fijians are no warm-up fodder.

Their 2023 quarter-final run showed the world that Pacific rugby is a force, and they'll arrive in Gosford hungry, skilful, and carrying the hopes of an entire region.

Fiji Rugby CEO Koli Sewabu called it a fixture that goes beyond rugby, saying it's about “inspiring our people and showcasing the unique spirit and talent that Fiji brings to the world game.”

“The Springboks have set the benchmark in world rugby, and our players relish every opportunity to test themselves against the very best.”

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Both teams will set up high-performance training camps on the Central Coast, integrating with local communities and using the region's top facilities in the build-up to and after the match.

With just 20,000 seats available at polytec Stadium, this is one not to be to missed.

Tickets for the clash will be on sale Tuesday, 29 September.

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Fiji Koli Sewabu Rassie Erasmus Rugby World Cup 2027 Springboks