The Springboks' upcoming season, led by coach Rassie Erasmus, is taking shape nicely.
Image: AFP
Bloemfontein and the Springboks are set for a secodn take against Portugal later this year, according to weekend reports.
The Portugese were popular visitors to the Free State last year and played some attractive rugby in losing 64-21 to the Springboks. A Sunday newspaper revealed that Os Lobos are likely to return as Bok coach Rassie Erasmus finds opponents to fill his 15-match schedule for the Boks.
Earlier this month, Erasmus confirmed the Springbok schedule for the year and said he wanted two “extra” Tests in this vital year of preparation for the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
Erasmus has 82 players on his Springbok radar and wants to test the newcomers while gauging whether the older players still have what it takes. It would appear that Portugal will fill one of those slots and it won’t be long before the final opponent is identified as the Test season creeps closer.
The Boks begin their action-packed year with a festival game against the Barbarians on June 28 at a venue to be finalised, and conclude against Wales in Cardiff on November 29.
In between there are mouthwatering showdowns with the All Blacks (twice), Australia (twice), Ireland and France at the end of the year.
Note: Portugal Test to be confirmed
28 June: v Barbarians, venue TBC
5 July: v Italy @ Loftus Versveld, Pretoria
12 July: v Italy @ Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha
19 July: v Georgia @ Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
16 August: v Australia @ Ellis Park, Johannesburg
23 August: v Australia @ Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
6 September: v New Zealand @ Eden Park, Auckland
13 September: v New Zealand @ Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
27 September: v Argentina @ Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
4 October: v Argentina @ Twickenham, London
8 November: v France, TBC
15 November: v Italy, TBC
22 November: v Ireland, TBC
29 November: v Wales, TBC
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