Wales is set to host Fiji, Australia, and South Africa in the upcoming Autumn Nations Series in Cardiff this November.
Kicking off their campaign, Warren Gatland’s squad will face Fiji on Sunday, 10th November, followed by a showdown with Australia seven days later. The World Champions, South Africa, will visit Cardiff on Saturday, 23rd November. The series will feature two Sunday games.
In a departure from tradition, a fourth match won’t be scheduled outside World Rugby’s international window. While other nations like England, Scotland, and Ireland have organized additional fixtures, Wales will stick to the three-game format this year.
Although Georgia invited a match in Tbilisi, it didn’t materialize. Nigel Walker, the WRU’s executive director of rugby, expressed enthusiasm for the exciting lineup, particularly as it coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Principality Stadium.
Despite a challenging Six Nations campaign, where Wales finished at the bottom for the first time in over two decades, they remain formidable opponents at home. South Africa’s coach, Rassie Erasmus, acknowledged the challenge of facing Wales in their backyard, emphasizing the need for his team to perform at their best.
Before the Autumn Nations Series, Gatland’s side will face South Africa in Twickenham and then take on Australia in two Tests, followed by a friendly against Queensland Reds in Brisbane, concluding what promises to be a demanding season of 18 matches for Wales.