RugbyU: Boks June test will not take place in South Africa

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PARIS, Nov 29, 2009 (AFP) - Next summer's test match between France and South Africa, scheduled initially for June 12 in Cape Town as part of a French tour, will not take place in South Africa and could be moved to Europe, an informed source said Sunday.

The South African Rugby Federation will be unable to host the match at the appointed time as the 2010 football World Cup will be under way by then from June 11.

The source indicated that Wembley Stadium was a possible choice of venue.

The French, on what would be a warm-up tour for the 2011 World Cup, are set to face the Springboks, then a South African A team on June 17 or 18 before closing the tour against Argentina in Buenos Aires the following week.

In November of next year Les Bleus are set to host Fiji in Nantes on November 13, Argentina a week later and then Australia the week after that at Stade de France.

Ahead of the World Cup in New Zealand the French are also set to face Ireland on August 13 in Marseille and then the same opponents either on August 20 or 27 at Lansdowne Road with the squad having come together from as early as late June.

After completing their preparations France, smarting from Saturday's 39-12 autumn test thumping by the All Blacks in Marseille, will have to deal with the might of hosts New Zealand in Group A in the World Cup. The pair will face off on September 24, 2011, at Eden Park in Auckland.