On Saturday 18 June, the 2022 Summer Series got underway with little fanfare, as Japan beat Uruguay in Tokyo. Given the low-key start, you could be forgiven for thinking this international test window is a casual warm-down, a set of post-season exhibitions with nothing on the line – how wrong you would be! The Summer Series, or July Tests, can be more “friendly” than other rugby union internationals, and the match day tactics may be more experimental, but there is nothing laid-back about these huge fixtures, especially this year, as teams everywhere look ahead to the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
As is traditional, this year’s Summer Series will see Northern Hemisphere squads head past the equator, to test their mettle against Southern Hemisphere rivals. With exciting clashes taking place from Auckland to Santiago del Estero, there’s no shortage of fantastic rugby to enjoy – but who’s playing who, and how much are tickets?
First up, Japan’s Summer Series. Whilst the country is actually situated above the equator, it has bucked the trend this summer, opting to host 4 test fixtures. Hot off the heels of their win against Uruguay, the Brave Blossoms will play the South American side again on Saturday 25 June, concluding their exciting doubleheader. They will then host France for another doubleheader, with matches taking place on Saturday 2 and Saturday 9 July. Ticket prices start at JPY ¥6,100 (USD $45.18), at all 3 matches.
From one volcanic island nation to another: New Zealand will of course be front-and-centre at the Summer Series, as they host an exciting Ireland side. The teams will play out a 3-match tour, with fixtures in Auckland (Saturday 2 July), Dunedin (Saturday 9 July), and Wellington (Saturday 16 July). Few teams win once away at the All Blacks, and triumphing in a series is almost unheard of, but Ireland have won 3 of the teams’ last 5 clashes, so they’ve as good a chance as anyone. Ticket prices at all 3 matches start at around NZD $73 (USD $46), and hospitality packages are still on sale, with match tickets included as standard.
Just a short hop across the Tasman Sea, Australia will be playing their own 3-match series, as England head down under to face-off against one of their biggest sporting rivals. This exciting tour will see matches played in Perth (Saturday 2 July), Brisbane (Saturday 9 July), and Sydney (Saturday 16 July). Adult ticket prices start at AUD $99 (USD $69.07) at all 3 matches, and there are also plenty of ticketing discounts available too, for everyone from children to seniors. Premium hospitality packages for all 3 fixtures are also on sale.
Meanwhile, Wales will be welcomed to South African shores, as they face-off against the reigning World Cup champions in Pretoria (Saturday 2 July), Bloemfontein (Saturday 9 July), and Cape Town (Saturday 16 July). Following limited ticketing pre-sales for the first test, and a public ticket ballot for the third test, there are currently only general sale tickets available for the second test, with prices starting at ZAR R150 (USD $9.36).
Last but not least: Scotland’s tour of Argentina. Los Pumas are an increasingly potent rugby union side, and so their matches against an entertaining Scotland squad should supply some great moments! The teams will meet in San Salvador de Jujuy (Saturday 2 July), Salta (Saturday 9 July), and Santiago del Estero (Saturday 16 July), with prices at all 3 clashes starting at ARS $1,000 (USD $8.14).
For more information on the 2022 Summer Series, including ticket prices, click here.