Boks set for Aviva opener

THE new Aviva Stadium on Lansdowne Road will open with a pair of football and rugby blockbusters.

Following the FAI’s agreement to bring Argentina to the new stadium next August, the IRFU announced yesterday that world champions South Africa will provide the opening rugby opposition for Ireland on November 6th, 2010.

The 50,000 capacity Aviva Stadium is due to be handed over to the IRFU and FAI upon completion in April next year.

The Irish rugby team is already scheduled to play Samoa, New Zealand and Argentina in the Guinness Series during November next year as part of the international calendar. The South Africa international on November 6th has now been added to that schedule to open the international season.

The historical significance of the game will also see the age-old international rugby tradition of the home team changing its jersey in the event of a colour clash for this special occasion. For the game, the South African Rugby Union has agreed to wear an alternative strip to allow the Ireland team to wear its own traditional green jersey.

Said a delighted IRFU chief executive Philip Browne: “This is the first time that we have played a fourth international test match in November and the new Aviva stadium will be a fitting venue for the game to take place in.”

Meanwhile Ireland’s summer test fixture against the All Blacks has been scheduled for Saturday June 12th at the Yarrow Stadium in New Plymouth.