Wales to face Springboks in Twickenham double-header

Warren Gatland’s side will face the world champions in London as part of a double-header on Saturday, June 22 (kick-off 2pm) before Fiji take on the Barbarians (kick-off 5.15pm).

Wales have announced that they will be the ‘away side’ in the fixture on neutral territory but their Cardiff home is unavailable this summer.

Swift is playing at Principality Stadium on Tuesday, June 18 and then Dave Grohl & Co are booked in seven days later.

Will Rowlands and Wales will face Australia this summer (Image: Press Association)

Wales will face the Springboks ahead of their summer tour to Australia, facing the Wallabies in Tests in Sydney on July 6 and Melbourne the following weekend.

The United Rugby Championship final is on the same day as the Twickenham fixture, which is more likely to affect the Boks than Gatland’s squad.

The head coach could, however, be without former Dragons lock Will Rowlands if Racing 92 progress to the semi-finals of France’s Top 14 play-offs.

The Gallagher Premiership final is on June 8, so all England-based players will be available.

Twickenham last staged a Wales versus South Africa fixture during the 2015 World Cup, when the Springboks won a tense quarter-final 23-19.

Gatland’s inexperienced squad will then face a Wallabies side rebuilding under Joe Schmidt after Eddie Jones’ squad was sent packing in the World Cup group stages, losing 40-6 to Wales in Lyon.

“I am incredibly excited about the fixture list for Wales this summer,” said Gatland.

“To have the opportunity for our young squad to test itself against the world champions at a neutral venue is an extremely important experience, and something that we will relish.

“We are also excited for the opportunity we have with our two Tests in Australia in July.

“We know the Wallabies will be hurting after the Rugby World Cup (Australia made a pool stage exit), but we are expecting a fired-up side led by new head coach Joe Schmidt.”