The upcoming slate of international test previews should not be missed, and after a successful summer last year, the Springboks are back to continue their warm-up to the world cup. 

Next up is Wales starting on July 2, with a three-match test run. Here's everything you need to know heading into the first match. 

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Where: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, South Africa

The lowdown: The world's current No. 1 men's rugby team, South Africa, played largely like it to close off last year's tests. 

The Springboks beat New Zealand, Wales and Scotland in consecutive matches - all away from home - before finishing 2021 with a narrow 27-26 defeat to England at Twickenham, a result that didn't affect South Africa's standing in being among the premier teams in the world too much. 

The reigning Rugby World Cup champions, the Springboks are just over a year from defending their title next fall in France, making every game of preparation leading into it that much more important. 

Welcoming Wales for a three-match test series next month should make for a solid barometer of where South Africa stands. If the highly favored Springboks dominate at home, they'll only affirm their status as a fearsome squad. If South Africa stumbles, however, things could get dicey. 

Wales, meanwhile, is in dire need of a string of good performances after a poor fifth-place showing at the Six Nations, a far cry from the 14 consecutive matches the country won between 2018 and 2019. 

Coach Wayne Pivac's side has never beaten the Springboks in South Africa but did have a string of four straight wins over the rugby powerhouse from 2016-2018. Could this summer's tour be the start of a new dawn in Welsh rugby? The first meeting in Pretoria will be telling for how much of a pipe dream - or reality - that may be.