More than 40 000 spectators witnessed the first ever historic match between the Springboks and Portugal on 20 July 2024 in the city of roses, Bloemfontein.
This came after the two test matches against Ireland, in which they prevailed in the first and lost the second by one point.
On Mandela Day, July 18, the Springboks delighted their supporters with a trophy tour at Loch Logan Waterfront
Mall while they were in Bloemfontein getting ready for the match.
Springbok’s centre Andre Esterhuizen was sent off with a red card for head on head collision during a tackle against Portugal on his first two minutes of play.
That did not demoralize the players, instead, it inspired them to play even harder.
They won the game in ten tries, defeating Portugal 64-21.
“The debutants, it was great, there were seven of them and four scored tries. So that is nice, I makes it interesting now to pick a squad for Rugby Championship. I promised the whole squad that everyone will get a cap today, that was the plan to give everyone at least 20 minutes, it was great.
“They way they rewarded us for giving them that chance was unbelievable. I am really proud of them,” said Springboks
head coach Rassie Erasmus.
Home test matches to be played by Springboks:
- Saturday 31 August: SA vs New Zealand (Johannesburg)
- Saturday 7 September: SA vs New Zealand (Cape Town)
- Saturday 28 September: SA vs New Zealand (Nelspruit)
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