The Springboks and Portugal will conclude their July international campaign with the historic first Test match between the two countries in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

Rassie Erasmus’s much-changed side will be hoping to bounce back from a disappointing defeat to Ireland and a draw. The Bok boss made 14 changes to his starting XV, with Durban’s Kurt-Lee Arendse the only starter to retain his place.

While the Springboks certainly test their depth against Os Lobos, this team still has eight Rugby World Cup winners in their starting 11, plus the likes of Trevor Nyakane on the bench and some of the country’s brightest young talent.

Many of these players will be determined to grab their opportunities with both hands, especially with the Rugby Championship fast approaching. However, Portugal proved during the Rugby World Cup that they are no easy feat and while they have yet to reach the level of performance that secured their sensational win over Fiji, they will be keen to remind the rugby world exactly what they are capable of.

This all looks set to lead to a spectacular celebration for rugby after ‘Tier One’ nations agreed to organise fixtures against ‘Tier Two’ opponents in the years following the World Cup.

Where to win the game

They will face Portugal, who have won the Rugby World Cup twice in a row, in the country many see as the epicentre of rugby fanatics.

Os Lobos will need to be on top of their game in every aspect, but to do so they will need to focus on set pieces, a traditional strength of the Boks.

Portugal’s attacking was inspiring during the World Cup, but to be honest they are unlikely to open up the Bok defence and will need to create their attacking opportunities from set pieces, as Ireland did.

Erasmus has given Test debuts to two forwards and a free agent and Portugal could see this as an area where they could have a chance to neutralise one of their biggest weapons, but it will not be easy.

The Springboks’ brainchild will accept nothing short of dominance in scrums and will set similarly high standards for lineouts. And if they do, the scoreline could get pretty ugly, pretty quickly.

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What did they say?

Saturday’s match will be particularly special for the seven South Africans making their Test debuts, including versatile forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels, who sits on the bench.

“I have wanted to be a Springbok since I was a little kid, so this is a big opportunity and a dream come true for me,” he said.

“To make your Springbok debut is something special no matter where you play, but there’s nothing better than being able to do it in front of my family in Bloemfontein. When I was growing up, we were all glued to the TV when the Boks played and the team has always inspired me.”

On the other hand, for midfielder Lukhanyo Am, this match will be his return to the Bok jersey after he missed the match due to an injury he sustained during the World Cup.

“I’m really excited about the opportunity to play again this weekend,” the 30-year-old said.

“I’ve had my ups and downs in terms of injuries over the last 24 months with the Springboks, so I’m really happy to be back in the team.
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“Injuries are part of the game, they happen and you just have to work hard and get back to where you were. The fact that I’m here is a very good sign to at least give my best and give myself the opportunity to be called up again and I can’t wait to put on the Green and Gold jersey again.”

Boxing boss Erasmus expects a tough challenge against Portugal: “They have proven they can compete successfully against the best teams in the world and we believe they will take their game even further this weekend given the magnitude of the clash with the Springboks.

“This is going to really excite them and they will definitely be giving it their all to make a statement for the Tier Two countries, so we need to perform at the highest level to get a result.

“This match is also an opportunity for us to fix what went wrong last week and finish the Castle Lager Incoming Series on a high, so we’ll show them and this situation the respect it deserves.”

Players to watch

There is no shortage of talent on display in Bloemfontein but Springboks and Bulls fans will be keeping their eyes on hooker’s performance. Johan GrobbelaarThe 26-year-old’s debut has been long awaited by many after his brilliant performances at URC and he has finally got his opportunity in the Green and Gold. Erasmus recently stated that he is ‘clearly the Boks’ third choice hook’ and now Grobbelaar needs to let his performances back up that statement.

Lukhanyo Am’s After the classy midfielder’s injury ahead of the World Cup, his presence in the team squad is a welcome sight for any rugby fan. When fit and well, he is one of the best No. 13s in the game and Saturday’s clash is another chance for him to reach those heights once again.

If he had played in any other country, Thomas du Toit He would have made many more appearances than his current 18. But after a sensational first season with Bath, the powerful swing prop is getting his first taste of Test rugby this year, playing at tighthead. The 29-year-old is set to play a key role in the Bok set-up this World Cup cycle and will be on the pitch to make a mark.

Du Toit to face Portuguese fans’ favourites Francisco Fernandes The strong back featured for Os Lobos during the World Cup and although many believed he would retire after the tournament, he still makes tackles and carries for Portugal.

Portugal have a serious weapon as the Springboks start with brilliant wingers Arendse and Makazole Mapimpi for Saturday’s clash Rodrigo Marta Wearing the number 14 jersey. The 24-year-old is blessed with blistering pace and a deadly sidestep. He scored just one goal in last year’s World Cup but has an impressive six tries in Pro D2; the Boks better not give him any space because he’s going to be sent off.

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Main Head to Head

Opportunity is knocking on the door Andre Esterhuizen and you would expect him to come through the door in typical style. The former Harlequins favourite and now Sharks centre-back has had to bide his time for Springbok minutes, so he will be determined to make that start count alongside the big Am on Saturday.

He has the Portuguese captain and the centre in front of him Thomas AppletonHe is a dentist. His ability to deal with a cavity will not bother Boks in the slightest, but his sharp, defensive decision-making and snarling carrying ability will bother – the Portuguese is a real force in the defensive line and a real glue player for the team, and his fight with Esterhuizen will be key.

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Guess

With all due respect to the Portuguese, the Springboks are expected to sweep Os Lobos aside and do so decisively. The overflow crowd in Bloemfontein underlines the expectations the team will carry on their shoulders and after the Boks’ disappointing performance against Wales at the venue two years ago, they will be looking to repay the loyal fans.

It will be a matter of survival for Portugal and while we expect them to put up a strong fight at certain points in the game, they will feel the wrath of the Springboks and knock out the away team with a big win. at least half a century.

Previous results

It is the first official Test match between South Africa and Portugal.

Teams

South Africa: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 RG Snyman, 4 Salmaan Moerat (c), 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels
Backups: 16: Andre-Hugo Venter, 17: Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18: Trevor Nyakane, 19: Ruan Venter, 20: Elrigh Louw, 21: Morne van den Berg, 22: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 23: Quan Horn

Portugal: 15 Simao Bento, 14 Manuel Cardoso Pinto, 13 Jose Lima, 12 Tomas Appleton (c), 11 Rodrigo Marta, 10 Joris Moura, 9 Hugo Camacho, 8 Vasco Baptista, 7 Diego Pinheiro, 6 Jose Maderia, 5 Duarte Torgal, 4 Nicolas Fernandes, 3 Diogo Hasse Ferreira, 2 Luka Begic, 1 Francisco Fernandes
Backups: 16 David Costa, 17 Pedro Vicente, 18 Abel Cunha, 19 Antionio R. Andrade, 20 Andre Cunha, 21 Pedro Lucas, 22 Domingos Cabral, 23 Jose P. Santos

History: Saturday, July 20
Place: Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein
To start: 17:00 local (16:00 BST)
Judge: Hollie Davidson (SRU)
Assistant Referees: Craig Evans (WRU), Mike Adamson (SRU)
TMO: Andrew McMenemy (SRU)