Springboks at RWC 2027: SA kick-off times, tickets and trip costs
The Boks open Rugby World Cup 2027 against Italy in Adelaide on 3 October at 05:45 SA time. Here are all their pool games in SA time, how tickets work, what travel packages cost and the visa you need for Australia.
The Springboks open their Rugby World Cup 2027 title defence against Italy at Adelaide Oval on Sunday, 3 October 2027, with kick-off at 05:45 South African time. Their other two pool games, against Georgia and Romania, start at 08:45 and 13:15 SA time (SABC Sport, SuperSport).
The tournament runs in Australia from 1 October to 13 November 2027, with 24 teams in seven host cities (EWN). South African travel packages for the opening Bok game already start at R27,950 per person sharing, before flights (EWN).
When do the Springboks play, in SA time?
South Africa are in Pool B with Italy, Georgia and Romania. Australia is between six and nine hours ahead of South Africa in October, so most Bok games fall on a Sunday morning at home.
| Match | Date | Venue | Local kick-off | SA time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa v Italy | Sunday, 3 October | Adelaide Oval, Adelaide | 14:15 | 05:45 |
| South Africa v Georgia | Sunday, 10 October | Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane | 16:45 | 08:45 |
| South Africa v Romania | Sunday, 17 October | Perth Stadium, Perth | 19:15 | 13:15 |
| Final | Saturday, 13 November | Stadium Australia, Sydney | 20:00 | 11:00 |
Sources: SABC Sport, SuperSport.
What happens after the pool stage?
This is the first men's World Cup with a round of 16. The top two in each of the six pools go through, along with the four best third-placed teams (SABC Sport).
- Round of 16: 23 and 24 October, in Perth and Melbourne
- Quarter-finals: 30 and 31 October, in Sydney and Brisbane
- Semi-finals: 5 and 6 November, Stadium Australia, Sydney
- Final: 13 November, Stadium Australia, Sydney
If the Boks finish first or second in Pool B, their round of 16 game is in Perth and a quarter-final would be in Sydney (SABC Sport).
How much are tickets, and where do you buy them?
World Rugby sells tickets only through its official platform, tickets.rugbyworldcup.com. Adult tickets started from A$40 and children's from A$20, with limits of six to ten tickets per match per buyer (Rugby World Cup). World Rugby said in October that more than half of all tickets were already secured (World Rugby).
On World Rugby's published presale price list, the top category for South Africa v Italy and South Africa v Georgia is A$425 per adult (World Rugby price list). Cheaper categories sit lower down the list, and availability changes by match. Buying a knockout ticket now gets you a seat, not a guaranteed Springbok game, because the pairings depend on the pool results.
What does a trip from South Africa cost?
Harvey World Travel, an officially authorised sub-agent for the tournament, quoted these packages on 702 and CapeTalk (EWN):
| Package | Price per person | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Springboks v Italy, Adelaide | from R27,950 sharing | three nights, stadium transfers, match ticket, eSIM, on-the-ground support |
| Final, Sydney | R58,220 | hotel with breakfast, stadium transfers, match ticket, eSIM, on-the-ground support |
Source: EWN.
Neither price includes return flights from South Africa, which are booked separately, and both are subject to availability (EWN). Kele Lekalake of Harvey World Travel advised planning early for flights, accommodation, visas and travel insurance.
Do South Africans need a visa for Australia?
Yes. South African passport holders cannot use Australia's ETA or eVisitor. They apply online through ImmiAccount for the Visitor visa (subclass 600), Tourist stream (Australian Home Affairs, Do I Need a Visa).
The base charge for applying from outside Australia is AUD 250 per person from 1 July 2026, up from AUD 200, according to visa guide Do I Need a Visa, which cites Australian Home Affairs (Do I Need a Visa). Each family member applies separately, and the charge is generally not refunded if the visa is refused. If you are asked for biometrics, you give them at a VFS Global centre in South Africa. Use only the official immi.homeaffairs.gov.au site, because look-alike visa sites add mark-ups (Do I Need a Visa).
FAQ
When do the Springboks play their first Rugby World Cup 2027 match?
Against Italy at Adelaide Oval on Sunday, 3 October 2027, kicking off at 14:15 local time, which is 05:45 in South Africa.
What time is the Rugby World Cup 2027 final in South Africa?
The final is on Saturday, 13 November 2027 at Stadium Australia in Sydney, kicking off at 20:00 local time, which is 11:00 South African time.
Where can I buy Rugby World Cup 2027 tickets?
Only through World Rugby's official platform, tickets.rugbyworldcup.com. Adult tickets started from A$40, with limits of six to ten tickets per match per buyer.
Do South Africans need a visa to watch the Rugby World Cup in Australia?
Yes. South Africans apply online through ImmiAccount for the Visitor visa (subclass 600), Tourist stream. They are not eligible for the ETA or eVisitor.
Sources
- SABC Sport: Springboks' 2027 Rugby World Cup fixtures and venues revealed
- SuperSport: Boks to kick off RWC 2027 campaign in Adelaide
- EWN: How to follow the Springboks in Australia, and what it'll cost
- Rugby World Cup: 2027 schedule revealed and ticketing
- World Rugby: RWC 2027 match schedule and presale ticket prices
- World Rugby: one year to go media advisory
- Australian Department of Home Affairs: Visitor visa (subclass 600)
- Do I Need a Visa: Australia visa rules for South Africans