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Cardiff - The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has expressed delight at the prospect of its national team taking on the Springboks in a Test in America.
It was confirmed on Monday that the Springboks and Wales will square off in Washington DC on Saturday, June 2.
First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones, and the South African Ambassador to the United States, Mninwa Johannes Mahlangu made the announcement which will see the first contest between top-tier national teams to be held in the capital.
USA Rugby's commercial arm, Rugby International Marketing (RIM), is promoting the match and tickets will go on sale from Tuesday, March 13.
"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 RWC and for the union it is a great opportunity to showcase Wales and our game in the capital of the United States,” Welsh Rugby Union Group CEO Martyn Phillips told the WRU’s official website.
"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 long standing 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."
"We would like to thank RIM for staging and promoting the fixture and we are looking forward to kicking off the summer tour in Washington DC."
First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones added: "It was fantastic to be with the South African Ambassador to the US, Mninwa Johannes Mahlangu, to announce this exciting fixture between our two great countries.
"Wales and the Springboks have a huge global fan base and I am confident this clash of titans at Washington's world famous RFK stadium will help raise the profile of rugby in America. I, for one, can't wait until June 2."
RIM CEO David Sternberg said: "We are very pleased to be hosting this signature event in the nation's capital in June. Not only are we bringing two established rugby nations together for an amazing match, we are also activating a large and passionate regional rugby community and accelerating the growth of the sport's popularity in America as we head into the Rugby World Cup Sevens in July."
It will be the 34th Test between South Africa and Wales, with the Springboks having won 28 Tests, lost four while one encounter ended in a draw, for a winning rate of 85%.
Kick-off is scheduled for 17:00 (23:00 SA time) at the Robert F. Kennedy Stadium (RFK).
