World number one South Africa has locked in a pre-World Cup fixture against Fiji on Saturday September 18, 2027, on the Central Coast.
The match, set to kick off at 6:00 pm AEST, will be both teams' final hit-outs before the 2027 Rugby World Cup, with the Springboks hunting for a historic three-peat.
Watch every second of the Wallabies 2026 Test season live and on demand via Stan Sport.
Dubbed the 'Contest on the Coast', the match will be held at Polytec Stadium, the first international fixture in the region since 2004.
Both teams will set up their pre-World Cup base in the region, with the Springboks currently in Terrigal ahead of next weekend's Test against the Wallabies in Perth.
Rassie Erasmus' team are fresh off a 3-1 series win over New Zealand, with the coach believing the Test will be invaluable preparation in a crucial year.
“We are very excited about the announcement of the clash against Fiji as part of our preparations for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, and for the opportunity to play another Test match in Gosford on the Central Coast after last facing the Pacific Islanders there in 2004,” said Springbok coach Erasmus.
“Fiji are a quality team who have consistently tested some of the top teams in the world over the last few years, and they proved that they can be a force to be reckoned with by advancing to the quarter-finals of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, so it's certainly going to be a great test for our team before the international spectacle in Australia.
“They are one of the top 10 ranked teams in the world, and they are a physical and talented side who will undoubtedly want to take full advantage of the match, similarly to us, before the Rugby World Cup kicks off."
For Fiji, they will be eager to build momentum, currently in Japan as they prepare to face the hosts to decide the Pacific Nations Cup.
“Fiji Rugby is delighted to confirm this historic Test Match against the Springboks, one of the most respected and successful teams in world rugby. The Springboks have set the benchmark in world rugby, and our players relish every opportunity to test themselves against the very best. This fixture is about more than a rugby match. It is about inspiring our people, engaging our global Fijian community and continuing to showcase the unique style, spirit and talent that Fiji brings to the world game," Fiji Rugby CEO Koli Sewabu believes.
"We are grateful to our partners for helping bring this event to life and for providing a platform that celebrates international rugby while strengthening the connection between our two proud rugby nations.
"We know there is a strong Fijian community across Australia and we look forward to seeing our supporters turn out in force to support the Flying Fijians in Gosford.
"This match will provide valuable high-performance preparation as we continue to build towards the Rugby World Cup and our long-term objectives, while also creating a memorable occasion for rugby fans to witness two passionate rugby cultures come together in what promises to be a highly competitive and entertaining contest."
Tickets will go on sale from September 29 at 10:00 am (AEST). Fans can sign up to the waitlist here and be first to know when tickets go on sale.
