South African dates set

The South African Rugby Football Union have confirmed the dates for Ireland's two-test series next summer.

The Springboks, ranked fifth in the world, will play Ireland, currently ranked sixth, in Bloemfontein on June 12th, while the second test will be held in Cape Town on June 19th. This raises the possibility that the Irish squad will base themselves in Cape Town for their tour, commuting to Bloemfontein a couple of days before the first test.

In contrast to Ireland, who will play an entire Six Nations championship between now and then, these will be the Boks' first tests since their 29-9 World Cup quarter-final defeat to New Zealand a fortnight ago.

SARFU have still to complete their investigation of racism within the squad earlier in the year, but the expectation is that current coach Rudolf Streauli will lose his job before then and SARFU president (and IRB vice-chairman) Silas Nkanunu could be replaced by Brian van Rooyen.

Not once in the last four years have the Springboks picked the same side in two consecutive games, and although Streauli eventually settled on a preferred starting line-up by the end of their involvement at RWC 2003, in 23 tests under him South Africa used 71 players. More damningly, in a dozen tests against the four teams ranked above them, the Springboks lost all but two; they managed a couple of home wins over Australia.

Meanwhile, there's no getting away from those Pumas. The fixture which Declan Kidney has likened to a local derby is set for another renewal next November after Argentinian sources at the World Cup confirmed they are negotiating to be in Europe next autumn for a three-test tour against Ireland, France and Italy.

This would be represent a sixth meeting between Ireland and Argentina in just over five years.

2004Tour

South Africa v Ireland

June 12th, Bloemfontein

June 19th, Cape Town