Flying Fijians to Face World Champion Springboks in 2027 World Cup Warm-Up

The Flying Fijians will face four-time world champions South Africa in a blockbuster Test on Australia’s Central Coast next year, in what will be a major final examination for both teams ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

The match, billed as the “Contest on the Coast,” will be played at Polytec Stadium in Gosford on Saturday, 18 September 2027, with kick-off scheduled for 6pm AEST.

It will be only the fourth Test meeting between Fiji and South Africa and will give rugby supporters in Australia an early opportunity to see the defending world champion Springboks and the Flying Fijians before the Rugby World Cup gets underway.

For Fiji, the fixture represents an important opportunity to test its World Cup preparations against one of international rugby’s most successful teams. The Flying Fijians will enter the 2027 campaign looking to build on their performance at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, where they reached the quarter-finals.

South Africa, meanwhile, will head into the tournament seeking a third consecutive Rugby World Cup title after winning in 2019 and 2023.

Major Test for Flying Fijians

Fiji Rugby Union CEO Koli Sewabu said the Test would provide the Flying Fijians with valuable high-performance preparation while also bringing together two proud rugby nations.

“Fiji Rugby is delighted to confirm this historic Test Match against the Springboks, one of the most respected and successful teams in world rugby,” Sewabu said.

“The Springboks have set the benchmark in world rugby, and our players relish every opportunity to test themselves against the very best.

“This fixture is about more than a rugby match. It is about inspiring our people, engaging our global Fijian community and continuing to showcase the unique style, spirit and talent that Fiji brings to the world game.”

Sewabu said the large Fijian community in Australia was expected to turn out strongly in support of the national side.

“We know there is a strong Fijian community across Australia and we look forward to seeing our supporters turn out in force to support the Flying Fijians in Gosford,” he said.

Springboks Expect Tough Fiji Challenge

Springboks Head Coach Rassie Erasmus said South Africa was looking forward to facing Fiji as part of its preparations for the World Cup.

Erasmus said Fiji had demonstrated its ability to challenge leading international teams, particularly during its run to the quarter-finals of the 2023 tournament.

“Fiji are a quality team who have consistently tested some of the top teams in the world over the last few years,” Erasmus said.

“They proved that they can be a force to be reckoned with by advancing to the quarter-finals of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, so it’s certainly going to be a great test for our team before the international spectacle in Australia.”

He described the Flying Fijians as a physical and talented side that would be looking to make full use of the encounter before the World Cup.

Teams to Establish Central Coast Training Camps

The fixture will involve more than the Test itself, with both Fiji and South Africa set to establish high-performance training camps on the Central Coast as part of their World Cup preparations.

The teams are expected to spend time in the region before and after the match, using local facilities and participating in community activities.

The arrangement is expected to provide opportunities for local rugby clubs, young players and supporters to engage with the two international teams.

The Test also marks the return of international rugby to the Central Coast more than two decades after South Africa played the combined Pacific Islands team in Gosford in 2004.

Central Coast Mayor Lawrie McKinna said hosting the Springboks and Flying Fijians would provide both sporting and economic benefits for the region.

“Council is proud to support this event and secure another major international sporting fixture for the Central Coast,” McKinna said.

“The Springboks are one of the most successful teams in rugby history, while Fiji have become one of the most admired and entertaining sides in the international game.”

The Test has been secured through an investment package from Central Coast Council and is expected to attract travelling supporters from Fiji, South Africa and across Australia.

Tickets on Sale 29 September

Polytec Stadium has a capacity of approximately 20,000 for the fixture, with strong demand expected for what will be one of the final major Tests before Rugby World Cup 2027.

Tickets for the Flying Fijians versus Springboks – Contest on the Coast will go on public sale through Ticketek at 10am on Tuesday, 29 September 2026.

Hospitality packages will also go on sale from 29 September.

Match Details
Match: Flying Fijians v South Africa Springboks
Event: Contest on the Coast
Date: Saturday, 18 September 2027
Venue: Polytec Stadium, Gosford, Central Coast
Kick-off: 6pm AEST
Tickets: Public sale from 10am, Tuesday, 29 September 2026
Significance: Final preparations ahead of Rugby World Cup 2027