South Africa to play Japan at Wembley

[saulan]

South Africa will play Japan on the 1st of November at Wembley in London, while also playing against Argentina at Twickenham in October. I think they were looking to play this at Brighton but must’ve decided against it in terms of being more of a challenge to get fans there vs flying into London (me speculating).

This means London will host the most Springbok test matches this calendar year against other nations (Cape Town also technically had two, but the first was a Barbarians game).

I’m really interested to see what the financial results for SARU will be at the end of this financial year, because it feels like they are doing absolutely everything to maximise revenue (including getting only 85% capacity at home test matches because they priced seats at prices at or higher than European rates, but to the SA economy).

Boks confirm another Test to packed calendar

NEWS: The Springboks confirmed another Test to be played during a busy 2025 season.

rugby365.com

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I'd heard that they were playing them in Brighton, too

Disappointing that they're not and makes the game pretty pointless imo

 

[saulan]

Actually that’s going to be quite a chaotic day of international rugby in London.
Barbarians and All Blacks XV at Brentford at 13:15
Springboks and Japan at Wembley at 16:10
England and Australia at Twickenham at 16:30

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

South Africa will play Japan on the 1st of November at Wembley in London, while also playing against Argentina at Twickenham in October. I think they were looking to play this at Brighton but must've decided against it in terms of being more of a challenge to get fans there vs flying into London (me speculating).

100% the ghosts of 2015.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Springboks and Japan at Wembley at 16:10
England and Australia at Twickenham at 16:30

That's pretty crazy, I'm surprised WR let alone London in general signed off on that

 

[saulan]

That's pretty crazy, I'm surprised WR let alone London in general signed off on that

This is also happening in London that Saturday:
Crystal Palace vs Brentford
Fulham vs Wolves
Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea
West Ham vs Newcastle
Charlton vs Swansea
QPR vs Ipswich

 

[Vaquer]

Intriguing timing. Thought getting people who are willing and able to pay for England tickets is why they pick London at all.

 

[Vaquer]

I'd heard that they were playing them in Brighton, too

Disappointing that they're not and makes the game pretty pointless imo

If they want people travelling from South Africa and Japan London is a better choice. Everyone in the world wants to visit London once in their life. A seaside town when it's too cold to go swimming, they can do that in their own country for way less.

 

[Ddanno]

Getting to Brighton is about even with getting to Wembley from Gatwick or Heathrow. And you don't go to Brighton for a swim.

 

[Vaquer]

And you don't go to Brighton for a swim.

Why do people go to Brighton?

 

[saulan]

Intriguing timing. Thought getting people who are willing and able to pay for England tickets is why they pick London at all.

Not completely. The main target is South African expats that live in London or in Europe. I attended both the NZ and Wales game and it does bring the South Africans out from everywhere. Bumped into someone from High School now living in the Netherlands and someone from Primary School living in Portugal. That's ignoring all the South Africans in SW London (who have a high propensity to turn up for these games).

The SA NZ game also had the benefit of (A) NZ expats and (B) the novelty of seeing SA vs NZ in the NH which brought a fair few rugby fans through from other areas in the NH/the UK (Spoke to a family that flew in from Ireland and a family with the sons playing in the Leicester Academy).

This game won't have the draw of the NZ test from a neutral's perspective. I'm still a bit surprised they went with Wembley, but I expect a top tier or two being closed off.

 

[Ddanno]

Why do people go to Brighton?

To party

 

[Jimbo]

Getting to Brighton is about even with getting to Wembley from Gatwick or Heathrow. And you don't go to Brighton for a swim.

I don’t know what flights schedules are like to Gatwick from these places but getting from Gatwick to Brighton couldn’t be easier or quicker be suprised if it more than 25 minutes on the train.

 

[AlRums]

I don't know what flights schedules are like to Gatwick from these places but getting from Gatwick to Brighton couldn't be easier or quicker be suprised if it more than 25 minutes on the train.

About every 10 mins, 30ish mins journey time

 

[AlRums]

Why do people go to Brighton?

The 'naturally beautiful' Sussex spot named the best in the UK to grow old in

MoneyWeek has rounded up the best cities across the country to grow old using data from Confused.com.

www.theargus.co.uk

 

[ShropshireAllBlack]

Mapimpi banned for 5 games and will miss the Autumn internationals.

 

[AlRums]

Mapimpi banned for 5 games and will miss the Autumn internationals.

Oh dear, what a pity, never mind.

 

[saulan]

He was on the backup list not traveling anyway, so doesn’t impact any plans. Quite a number of the older ‘23 World Cup winners appear to be phased out this tour (Mbonambi, Faf, Mapimpi, Willie Le Roux).

I don’t think Mapimpi is in our top 6 wings anymore, which is fair at 35 years old in that position. But he has done great things as a Springbok and will always be appreciated.

 

[AlRums]

South Africa will play Japan on the 1st of November at Wembley in London, while also playing against Argentina at Twickenham in October. I think they were looking to play this at Brighton but must've decided against it in terms of being more of a challenge to get fans there vs flying into London (me speculating).

This means London will host the most Springbok test matches this calendar year against other nations (Cape Town also technically had two, but the first was a Barbarians game).

I'm really interested to see what the financial results for SARU will be at the end of this financial year, because it feels like they are doing absolutely everything to maximise revenue (including getting only 85% capacity at home test matches because they priced seats at prices at or higher than European rates, but to the SA economy).

Boks confirm another Test to packed calendar

NEWS: The Springboks confirmed another Test to be played during a busy 2025 season.

rugby365.com

Brighton & Hove Albion have a home game against Leeds that day. (1 Nov)