South Africa will stop-off in in Ireland to take on Connacht at the Sportsground in August as part of their warm-up ahead of this September's World Cup.

The Springboks will take on Michael Bradley's charges on Tuesday, August 21st, almost three weeks before their World Cup opener against Samoa in Paris (September 9th).

This will be the first time Connacht host a visiting international side since they beat Fiji 27-5 in 1995 when current Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan was in charge at that time.

"It will be a great sporting occasion and a great way for us to kick-off the new season," said Gerry Kelly, Connacht Rugby chief executive.
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"We are putting together a very strong squad for next season and it will be their first outing, so it promises to be a great event."

South Africa will travel to Galway following their Tri-Nation encounters with New Zealand and Australia and will take on Scotland in Murrayfield four days after playing Connacht.

South Africa coach Jake White will name his 30-man World Cup squad on July 21st, and the first glimpse of this squad in the northern hemisphere will be in Galway on August 21st.
 
Tickets details for the match will be announced shortly on the Connacht Rugby website www.connachtrugby.ie.