The Springboks take three July wins to Europe, but four major injury absences change the November squad. Italy come first in Turin on 7 November. France and Ireland follow before finals weekend at Twickenham.
Current position: 2 November 2026
South Africa beat England 45-21, Scotland 42-28 and Wales 43-0 at home. That is 130 points scored and 49 conceded, a points difference of +81.
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 4 July | England | South Africa won 45-21 |
| 11 July | Scotland | South Africa won 42-28 |
| 18 July | Wales | South Africa won 43-0 |
Rassie Erasmus has named a 37-man squad for the northern leg, captained by Siya Kolisi. Cheslin Kolbe, Eben Etzebeth, Andre Esterhuizen and Handre Pollard are out injured.
Fixtures and dates
| Date | Match | Venue | SAST |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 November | Italy v South Africa | Allianz Stadium, Turin | 13:40 |
| 13 November | France v South Africa | Stade de France, Paris | 22:10 |
| 21 November | Ireland v South Africa | Aviva Stadium, Dublin | 18:40 |
France is a Friday-night Test, six days after Italy. The Ireland match comes eight days later, followed by the finals weekend from 27 to 29 November.
Six uncapped players travel to Europe
Yaqeen Ahmed, Sebastian de Klerk, Luan Giliomee, Markus Muller, Riley Norton and Emmanuel Tshituka are the six uncapped players in the touring group. They join a squad missing four senior players through injury.
Pollard's absence makes the fly-half selection more important; Kolbe's removes an established finishing threat. We would not carry July's attacking expectations into the Italy match without first looking at the team Erasmus picks.
The URC guide covers the last club round before the international break. The Stormers, Bulls and Sharks all won, while the Lions lost 29-20 in Glasgow.
First place earns the grand final
The northern and southern groups have separate standings. Every team plays the six sides from the opposite group across July and November, with first facing first in the grand final.
Second plays second, third plays third and so on during finals weekend. South Africa's opponent is therefore decided by the final group positions, not by a pre-arranged knockout draw.
| Date | Pairing | SAST |
|---|---|---|
| 27 November | Sixth v sixth | 18:40 |
| 27 November | Third v third | 22:10 |
| 28 November | Fifth v fifth | 15:10 |
| 28 November | Second v second | 18:40 |
| 29 November | Fourth v fourth | 15:10 |
| 29 November | Grand final: first v first | 18:40 |
Three opponents need three separate assessments
Scotland scored 28 against the Boks in July; Wales scored none. Combining those games into one average hides a substantial difference in what each opponent produced.
The Boks' last two Tests are away to France and Ireland, six and fourteen days after Italy. That sequence leaves Erasmus balancing the immediate match against two further away assignments.
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Questions about Springboks: Nations Championship
When do the Springboks play Italy?
Italy v South Africa is on 7 November 2026 at Allianz Stadium in Turin, kicking off at 13:40 SAST.
What time is France v South Africa?
The Friday 13 November 2026 Test in Paris starts at 22:10 SAST.
Which senior Springboks are missing through injury?
Cheslin Kolbe, Eben Etzebeth, Andre Esterhuizen and Handre Pollard are out of the November squad injured.
When is the Nations Championship grand final?
The grand final is at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on 29 November 2026 at 18:40 SAST.