South Africa national rugby union team of the rankings. Below is test matches played by South Africa up until 16 November 2018. Only fixtures recognised as test matches by the South African Rugby Union are listed. ± The Cavaliers was the name given to an unofficial (rebel) New Zealand team which toured South Africa in 1986. The New Zealand Rugby Union did not sanction the team and do not recognise the side as a New Zealand representative team. On 27 October 2018, head coach Rassie Erasmus named a 36-man squad for South Africa's end-of-year outgoing tour. On 5 November 2018, Faf de Klerk was added to
History of the South Africa national rugby union team History of the South Africa national rugby union team The History of the South Africa national rugby union team dates back to 1891, when the British Lions first toured South Africa where they played against South African representative sides. The South Africa national rugby union team played few international matches during a period of international sanctions due to apartheid. Since the end of apartheid in 1990–91, South Africa has once again fully participated in international rugby. The most iconic moment in South Africa rugby history is when South Africa hosted and won the 1995 Rugby World Cup, with Nelson Mandela