Rugby union in South Africa series. The Freedom Cup (against New Zealand) and the Mandela Challenge Plate (against Australia) are competed for as part of The Rugby Championship. The Africa Cup is an annual competition involving ten African nations. South Africa sent its top amateurs to this competition up until 2007. Since the readmission of South Africa to international rugby, its rugby talent has migrated across the world. There are many high-profile South Africans who, through residence or ancestry, are representing or have previously represented other countries. Players of note are: Rugby union in South Africa Rugby union in South Africa is a very popular
2012 England rugby union tour of South Africa 2012 England rugby union tour of South Africa In June 2012, the England national rugby union team went on a three-test tour against the South Africa national rugby union team, known colloquially and referred to hereafter as the "Springboks". This was one of a series of mid-year tours in 2012 by northern teams to be hosted by southern hemisphere nations. The series was among the first to mark a return to the format of traditional tours, after the International Rugby Board (IRB) decided in 2010 to revive the concept, which could include mid-week matches against representative or club sides. This