Two chances to cheer: Why London’s South African expats are about to have the rugby month of their lives

Right, listen up, expats – this is not a drill. For the first time in living memory, we’ve got our beloved Springboks playing twice in London within a month.

TWICE!

If that doesn’t get your boerewors sizzling and your Castle Lite cooling, I don’t know what will.

Mark your calendars, shift those dinner plans, and start practicing your “Shosholoza” – because October and November are about to become the most South African months London has ever seen.

THE UNPRECEDENTED DOUBLE HEADER

4 October 2025: Springboks vs Argentina at Twickenham (Rugby Championship final match); 1 November 2025: Springboks vs Japan at Wembley Stadium

When last did you hear of the Boks playing twice in London in the same year, let alone the same month?

This is genuinely historic stuff, and as South Africans living in the UK, we’re perfectly positioned to make the most of it.

TWICKENHAM: THE RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP DECIDER

The first match could well decide the Rugby Championship title.

With “55 000 tickets already sold, the final batch of seats is now on sale – £55 for adults and £28 for under-16s in the middle tier” at Twickenham.

This isn’t just any Rugby Championship match – it’s only the second time a Rugby Championship fixture has ever been played outside the traditional SANZAAR nations.

Argentina are bringing their “home” match to London, which means we get to experience what is essentially a neutral venue that feels very much like home turf for us.

Rugby icons Siya Kolisi, Cheslin Kolbe, Pieter-Steph du Toit, and Eben Etzebeth – among many others – are all expected to line up for what could be a title-deciding clash in front of a packed Twickenham crowd.

The atmosphere is going to be electric. You know how we travel, you know how we sing, and you know how we support our boys.

This could be the match that crowns our world champions as Rugby Championship winners too.

WEMBLEY: REVENGE FOR BRIGHTON

Then, just four weeks later, we head north to Wembley for something even more special.

This will be the first rugby fixture hosted at the iconic venue since 2016 – making it a proper historic occasion.

The opposition?

Japan. Ring any bells?

That little matter of the “Miracle of Brighton” in 2015 when Eddie Jones’s Brave Blossoms shocked the rugby world by beating us 34-32.

Well, now Eddie Jones is coaching Japan again, and this feels like the perfect opportunity for some payback on home soil.

The Springboks have only played one official Test at Wembley previously, when Gary Teichmann led the Springboks, coached at the time by Nick Mallett, to a 28-20 win over Wales in November 1998″.

That’s 27 years ago! Most of us weren’t even living in the UK then.

For those who’ve made Wembley their pilgrimage site for football, rugby, or concerts – imagine seeing the world champions run out at the home of football. Absolute goosebumps material.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR US EXPATS

Let’s be honest – living in London has its perks, but watching the Springboks usually means either expensive flights home or dodgy pub streams at ungodly hours.

Now we’ve got two world-class venues, two massive matches, and our boys bringing the green and gold to our doorstep.

The London South African community has shown up in force for previous matches.

Remember how we filled Twickenham when we beat Wales 41-13 earlier this year?

Or when we demolished England 29-20 in November?

The atmosphere was unreal – like being back at Newlands or Ellis Park, but with better public transport.

GET YOUR TICKETS SORTED

Twickenham (4 October): Limited tickets remain at £55 for adults and £28 for under-16s. You can grab them at www.ticketmaster.co.uk

Wembley (1 November): Tickets start from £55 for adults and £27.50 for Under-16s via Ticketmaster.co.uk, with Adult Group Rates available with a 10% discount on 10 or more tickets purchased.

Here’s the thing – these aren’t just rugby matches, they’re community events.

Start organising your groups now. Get the WhatsApp chat going. Book that post-match braai spot.

This is our chance to show London what South African rugby support looks like when we’re all in one place.

DON’T MISS OUT

Two world champions matches. Two iconic London venues. One month. One community.

Whether you’ve been in London for decades or just arrived from OR Tambo last week, this is your moment.

These are the matches you’ll tell your grandkids about – the time the world champions brought the Rugby Championship and Wembley’s rugby return, to your adoptive home.

Don’t be that person scrolling through Instagram stories afterwards wishing you’d been there.

Both matches will sell out, both will be absolute spectacles, and both will remind you exactly why you’re so proud to be South African – even when you’re 6 000 miles from home.

October and November 2025: The month London became Johannesburg. Don’t miss it.