
The game, which will mark the 34th Test between the two nations, will take place at the US capital’s 45,000-seater RFK Stadium, the former home of the National Football League’s (NFL) Washington Redskins and DC United of Major League Soccer (MLS).
Wales have played on American soil on four previous occasions, all of which were against the US national team. For the Springboks, the fixture marks a return to the USA for the first time since 2001, when they defeated the US 43-20.
Martyn Phillips, Welsh Rugby Union’s (WRU) group chief executive, said: “This is an exciting fixture for the WRU and for the national squad. It enables us to add a third fixture into the squad's schedule as they continue with their preparations for the 2019 Rugby World Cup and for the union it is a great opportunity to showcase Wales and our game in the capital of the United States.
“The opportunity to expand the already great Welsh support base and Welsh brand is very exciting for us as especially in such a large demographic and audience as the US. We have longstanding links with the US with our partner Under Armour and it is great we are able to stage a match just down the road from their main facility in Baltimore.”
“The match in Washington allows us to take Springbok rugby to America and to potentially expand the team’s appeal to very large audience,” added Jurie Roux, chief executive of the South Africa Rugby Union (SARU). “Our research shows that the Springboks have a growing worldwide fan base and we see the match in Washington as ideal platform to tap into a market that offers huge possibilities for South African rugby, in the exciting American sporting area.
“We are also grateful to the WRU for their efforts in making this match a reality and it will get a very challenging international season off to a great start.”
Wales and South Africa last played each other at the end of 2017, when the Welsh narrowly beat their southern hemisphere opponents 24-22 in a close encounter at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.
By sportindustry.co.za