Wales will play rugby world champions South Africa in a one-off test on June 5 to celebrate the 11th anniversary of the Millennium Stadium it was announced on Tuesday.
The Welsh will be hoping that they can replicate the result of the meeting between the two sides in the opening match at the stadium 10 years ago when the hosts recorded their one and only victory over the Springboks, who were the reigning world champions at the time.
The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) said it was also fulfilling the promise that the national side would play all the top teams prior to the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand, with a two Test series against New Zealand scheduled for June.
“Warren Gatland [the Welsh coach] wants his team to face the best,” said WRU chief executive Rogers Lewis.
“This [the clash with South Africa] will undoubtedly be the showcase rugby occasion of the summer in the northern hemisphere and is a great coup for Wales.
“The Millennium Stadium crowd will also be able to give Wales a rousing send off for their summer tour to New Zealand.
“We are now seriously building towards next year’s Rugby World Cup and Welsh fans can be certain that our international fixture list from now on will fully reflect the importance of that process.
“Warren Gatland wants his team to face the best and we have worked tirelessly to ensure we deliver on that wish in the months ahead.” — Sapa-AFP