Sports

Boks Add Perth Blockbuster Against Wallabies to Jam Packed 2026 Season

Published

2 hours ago

February 17, 2026

Nikita

Source: Springboks on X

Joburg rugby fans, clear your calendars. The Springboks have just squeezed in another heavyweight clash for 2026, and it is not a small one.

South Africa will face Australia in a once-off Test in Perth on 27 September, with the match set for the 61,000-seat Optus Stadium. It is the kind of fixture that instantly raises the temperature, especially when you consider what is already on the Boks’ plate next year.

If you thought this season was busy, 2026 is shaping up to be relentless.

Perth Keeps The Rivalry Alive

With the traditional Rugby Championship shelved to make way for the expanded “Greatest Rivalry” tour, there had been real concern that the Springboks and Wallabies might not meet at all this year.

That never quite sat right.

For decades, Springboks vs Wallabies has been one of the southern hemisphere’s signature showdowns. From tense World Cup meetings to bruising Rugby Championship battles, these two sides rarely produce dull rugby.

The Perth Test ensures the rivalry rolls on and, importantly, puts the Mandela Plate back on the line. South Africa currently holds it, which only adds another layer of spice.

For South Africans living in Australia and for fans watching from packed sports bars in Sandton, Melville or Fourways, this one will feel personal.

No Easy Stretch For The World Champs

The Wallabies clash does not sit in isolation. It comes just two weeks after the Boks wrap up a four-match series against the All Blacks.

That series includes three matches in South Africa before a historic finale at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore in the United States. It is a global schedule that underlines just how big the Springboks brand has become.

Before all of that, July brings the Nations Championship, with England, Scotland and Wales heading to South Africa for three home Tests. That alone would normally headline a season.

There is also a planned warm-up against the Barbarians in Gqeberha, aimed at giving Japan-based players valuable game time before the serious business begins.

In short, there are no quiet weekends.

Erasmus Has One Eye On 2027

For head coach Rassie Erasmus, this is not just about ticking off big-name opponents. The Rugby World Cup in Australia next year looms large.

Every Test in 2026 is effectively part of a bigger plan. Squad depth, player rotation and managing the workload of key veterans will be critical. A high-pressure away Test in Perth offers the perfect environment to test combinations and expose new players to hostile territory.

Erasmus has built a reputation for long-term planning. The additional Wallabies clash gives him another chance to sharpen the edges of a squad that will be chasing history when they defend their world title.

What It Means For Joburg Fans

For fans in Johannesburg, this means one thing. More big rugby moments to gather around.

Whether it is early morning kick-offs with coffee in hand or late-night matches with a braai on standby, the 2026 season promises drama from start to finish. England, the All Blacks, the Wallabies and a global stage stretching from South Africa to the United States and Australia.

There will be no soft landings.

And come 27 September in Perth, when the Boks run out under the Western Australian lights, South African supporters back home will once again be glued to their screens, hoping the Mandela Plate stays firmly in green and gold hands.

{Source: SABC Sport}

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