The Springboks depart for Europe in November 2026 for their annual autumn international series, taking on France, England, Ireland and Scotland across four consecutive weekends. The tour comes off the back of a dominant home summer that included the All Blacks series, and sees South Africa’s squad facing the full weight of northern hemisphere opposition before the holiday break.
SA Rugby confirmed the tour schedule in early October, with the squad to be named in the coming weeks. Head coach Rassie Erasmus is expected to rotate the squad significantly to manage workloads following an intense domestic season, while also using the opportunity to blood players ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup cycle.
The Autumn Test Schedule
The November window sees South Africa facing:
- France - Stade de France, Paris (first November weekend)
- Ireland - Aviva Stadium, Dublin (second November weekend)
- England - Twickenham, London (third November weekend)
- Scotland - Murrayfield, Edinburgh (fourth November weekend)
Exact kick-off times and ticket availability for each match are listed on the SA Rugby website and the respective national union sites. International supporters travelling to watch the Tests will find accommodation in Paris, Dublin, London and Edinburgh booking up quickly in the November window, particularly in Dublin where Six Nations hospitality infrastructure tends to handle visiting crowds.
What This Means for Rugby Supporters Travelling from South Africa
The autumn tour is one of the biggest travel events in the South African rugby calendar. Tens of thousands of South African supporters travel to Europe every November to follow the team, and 2026 is expected to be no different after a season of strong performances at home.
For travellers flying from South Africa, direct routes to Paris (Air France), London (British Airways, Virgin Atlantic) and Dublin (with connection via London or Amsterdam) are all well served. The resumption of several new direct routes to Cape Town and Johannesburg from European carriers over the past two years means there is more capacity and more competitive pricing than in previous seasons.
Booking flights from South Africa to match venues early is strongly advised. The Paris and Dublin weekends in particular tend to sell out well in advance as both cities attract large numbers of visiting supporters.
Preparing for a Northern Hemisphere November
European November means cold, wet conditions - a world away from South Africa’s spring warmth. Supporters travelling straight from the summer warmth of Cape Town in October should pack layers: temperatures in Paris, Dublin and Edinburgh commonly drop to 5-8 degrees Celsius during match weekends, with rain likely at most venues.
Match-day transport in each city is well organised around stadium arrivals, but pre-booking trains and accommodation near grounds - rather than in the city centre - reduces stress on match days significantly.
The Squad Picture
The full touring squad will be confirmed by SA Rugby ahead of departure. Following the domestic season and the All Blacks series, the Springboks have depth across most positions, and competition for places in the tight five and back row is expected to be intense. The midfield selection, with several players pushing for the 12 jersey, will be one of the storylines to follow across the four Tests.
For confirmed squad announcements, kick-off times and ticket links, the SA Rugby website and Springbok social channels carry all official information as it is released.