The Wallabies’ first Test in The 2024 Flight Centre Rugby Championship against the Rugby World Cup Champion Springboks this Saturday in Brisbane is a sell-out.
Kicking off at 2:30pm (AEST), Saturday’s Test match will be the first time that Suncorp Stadium has sold out for a Wallabies Test match since 2013 against the British & Irish Lions, and is on track to be the largest crowd for a Wallabies home Test against South Africa since 2006 at Accor Stadium.
The sold-out first Test of The Rugby Championship continues the trend of large attendances at international Rugby events – more than 2.4 million people attended the 2023 Rugby World Cup, more than half a million attended the six days of the Olympic Rugby Sevens in Paris, while the Wallabies played in front of the largest Australian Rugby crowd in 22 years against the All Blacks at the Melbourne Cricket Ground last year (84,000).
The Wallabies head into The Rugby Championship after three consecutive wins in the July Test Series – twice over World Cup foes Wales, and once over the emerging Georgia, and head coach Joe Schmidt will be looking to continue building his squad after his first three games in charge.
The Suncorp Test is the first match of The Rugby Championship for both the Wallabies and the back-to-back Rugby World Cup Champion Springboks. The Rugby Championship returns to a full home-and-away format for 2024, following the shortened tournament last year due to the World Cup.
Following the Brisbane clash, both sides will head to Perth for a second meeting in as many weeks on 17 August at Optus Stadium. The Wallabies then head to Argentina for two Tests against Los Pumas, while the Springboks return home to host the All Blacks.
The Wallabies will return home for their final Test on home soil in September, with the first Bledisloe Cup Test against the All Blacks on Saturday afternoon 21 September at Accor Stadium, before The Rugby Championship concludes a week later in Wellington with the return Bledisloe leg.
Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh, says Brisbane has again demonstrated its phenomenal support for the Wallabies and Rugby.
”This year we have seen Brisbane once again throw their support behind the Wallabies. I think the response to this match shows that Australians and Queenslanders are right behind this Wallabies squad.”
“We are still building under Joe [Schmidt], and we have started the season reasonably well against Wales and Georgia, however the two-time defending Rugby World Cup Champions are a new and exciting challenge.
“Hopefully the beautiful Queensland weather on a Saturday afternoon should make for some entertaining daytime footy, and quite a spectacle for the fans in attendance.
“I must thank our government partners in Queensland, especially Tourism and Events Queensland and the Brisbane Economic Development Agency, for their support in bringing big Rugby events to Brisbane.”
“I am sure that a 50,000-strong Gold Army will play a huge role in lifting the Wallabies in Brisbane.”
Queensland Tourism and Sport Minister Michael Healy said a sold-out Suncorp Stadium is like no other.
“It’s more than ten years since Suncorp has sold-out for a Wallabies Test match, I think we can expect a passionate crowd.
"Big international Rugby Tests like this boost our local economy and showcase Brisbane's capacity to host world-class sporting events.
"The excitement and energy that come with sold-out matches like this highlight the incredible support from Queenslanders and visitors alike, truly showing off how great our state really is.
“We hope that fans make the most of being in our beautiful part of the world and enjoy the electric atmosphere at Suncorp Stadium.”
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said this sell out event highlights residents’ love of sport and entertainment.
"Brisbane is Australia’s lifestyle capital and sport is in our blood. This sold-out showdown promises an exciting spectacle at Suncorp Stadium, attracting Rugby fans from across Australia and the world to enjoy Brisbane’s incredible lifestyle and vibrant precincts.
“Brisbane is the best place to live, work and play and we encourage fans to make the most of all there is to see and do after the final siren.”
July Tests
Wallabies 25 defeated Wales 16, Saturday July 6 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Wallabies 36 defeated Wales 28 on Saturday July 13 at AAMI Park, Melbourne
Wallabies 40 defeated Georgia 29 on Saturday July 20 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney
The Rugby Championship
Wallabies v South Africa, 2:30pm AEST, Saturday August 10 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Wallabies v South Africa, 5:45pm AWST, Saturday August 17 at Optus Stadium, Perth
Wallabies v Argentina, 8:00 am AEST, Sunday September 1 at Estadio Uno, La Plata
Wallabies v Argentina, 5:00 am AEST, Sunday September 8 at Estadio Colon, Santa Fe
Wallabies v New Zealand, 3:45pm AEST, Saturday September 21 at Accor Stadium, Sydney
Wallabies v New Zealand, 5:05pm AEST, Saturday September 28 at Sky Stadium, Wellington The Wallabies v Springboks match at Suncorp Stadium is supported by the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland and Brisbane City Council, through Brisbane Economic Development Agency.
