Leicester Tigers have confirmed they will host world champions South Africa on Friday, November 6 (kick off 7.30pm) after receiving approval from the RFU and PRL.
The match will celebrate the official opening of the new Caterpillar Stand at Welford Road and take place during the Springboks' autumn tour to Europe when they will play Tests against France, Italy and Ireland.
South Africa, who won the Rugby World Cup in 2007, triumphed in this summer's series against the British & Irish Lions and have begun their Tri-Nations campaign with back-to-back wins over New Zealand. They will feature superstar names John Smit, Bryan Habana and Victor Matfield.
Tigers chairman Peter Tom CBE says the fixture will be one of the great Welford Road occasions.
He said: "We have had some wonderful games against touring teams here at Welford Road in the past but we have never played the world champions.
"To play against the world champions South Africa is a real honour and will be a fitting way to celebrate the opening of the new Caterpillar Stand.
"The game has got Tigers supporters buzzing and our ticket office has been receiving enquiries from rugby fans from all over the world."
Andy Marinos, acting managing director of SA Rugby said: "The match will be an ideal preparation for three very tricky Test matches and give the Springboks the chance to have a taste of northern-hemisphere conditions once again.
"It will also give us an opportunity to test out new combinations as we look towards the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
"Leicester are a powerhouse of European club rugby and can field a host of England and overseas internationals and we'll have our work cut out against them - we couldn't have asked for a more challenging warm-up for the Test matches."
The new Caterpillar Stand represents phase one of the redevelopment of Welford Road and takes capacity up to 24,000 for the new season. Already more than half of the places in the 10,000-seater stand have been sold for the entire season, and 60 per cent of the stadium is sold out.
Commercial arrangements for the game, including broadcast and sponsorship, are being handled by leading independent sports marketing agency Essentially. Group chief executive Bart Campbell said: "South Africa were keen to have a tough build up to their autumn international schedule and Guinness Premiership champions Tigers will do just that. It promises to be a fantastic game and a fantastic occasion."
Tickets details for the match will be announced next week. Season ticket holders will be given priority bookings and will be offered special prices.
The match will celebrate the official opening of the new Caterpillar Stand at Welford Road and take place during the Springboks' autumn tour to Europe when they will play Tests against France, Italy and Ireland.
South Africa, who won the Rugby World Cup in 2007, triumphed in this summer's series against the British & Irish Lions and have begun their Tri-Nations campaign with back-to-back wins over New Zealand. They will feature superstar names John Smit, Bryan Habana and Victor Matfield.
Tigers chairman Peter Tom CBE says the fixture will be one of the great Welford Road occasions.
He said: "We have had some wonderful games against touring teams here at Welford Road in the past but we have never played the world champions.
"To play against the world champions South Africa is a real honour and will be a fitting way to celebrate the opening of the new Caterpillar Stand.
"The game has got Tigers supporters buzzing and our ticket office has been receiving enquiries from rugby fans from all over the world."
Andy Marinos, acting managing director of SA Rugby said: "The match will be an ideal preparation for three very tricky Test matches and give the Springboks the chance to have a taste of northern-hemisphere conditions once again.
"It will also give us an opportunity to test out new combinations as we look towards the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
"Leicester are a powerhouse of European club rugby and can field a host of England and overseas internationals and we'll have our work cut out against them - we couldn't have asked for a more challenging warm-up for the Test matches."
The new Caterpillar Stand represents phase one of the redevelopment of Welford Road and takes capacity up to 24,000 for the new season. Already more than half of the places in the 10,000-seater stand have been sold for the entire season, and 60 per cent of the stadium is sold out.
Commercial arrangements for the game, including broadcast and sponsorship, are being handled by leading independent sports marketing agency Essentially. Group chief executive Bart Campbell said: "South Africa were keen to have a tough build up to their autumn international schedule and Guinness Premiership champions Tigers will do just that. It promises to be a fantastic game and a fantastic occasion."
Tickets details for the match will be announced next week. Season ticket holders will be given priority bookings and will be offered special prices.
