Portugal’s players celebrate after beating Fiji in a Rugby World Cup clash at the Stade de Toulouse on 8 October 2023. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP)
- The Springboks will face Portugal in a Test in Bloemfontein this year.
- It will be the first Test between the two nations.
- The Boks will also play two home Tests against Ireland, two against New Zealand and one against Argentina.
- For more sports news, go to the News24 Sport front page.
Bloemfontein was on Friday confirmed as the venue for the Springboks’ Test against Portugal later this year.
The match, scheduled for for 20 July at Free State Stadium, will be an historic first Test between the two nations.
Portugal made headlines at last year’s Rugby World Cup in France when they stunned quarter-finalists Fiji 24-23 in their final pool match.
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The last time the Boks played in Bloemfontein was in 2022 when they lost 13-12 to Wales.
It will be the final match of the Incoming Series which will also see South Africa entertain Ireland in Pretoria (6 July) and Durban (13 July).
South Africa’s other home Tests in 2024 will be Rugby Championship encounters against New Zealand (Johannesburg, 31 August and Cape Town, 7 September) and Argentina (Nelspruit, 28 September).
Springboks’ home Test schedule for 2024:
Saturday, 6 July: SA v Ireland (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
Saturday, 13 July: SA v Ireland (Kings Park, Durban)
Saturday, 20 July: SA v Portugal (Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein)
Saturday, 31 August: SA v New Zealand (Ellis Park, Johannesburg)
Saturday, 7 September: SA v New Zealand (Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town)
Saturday, 28 September: SA v Argentina (Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit)
“We are delighted that we will be returning to Bloemfontein for this historic match, and we are determined to continue make our passionate supporters proud,” SA Rugby’s director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus, said in a statement.
“With the venue now confirmed we can go full steam ahead with our planning for the home Tests from an operational perspective.
“There’s no doubt it has added to the excitement for the season ahead, especially after capping off the 2023 season by defending the Rugby World Cup title.”
Meanwhile, SA Rugby said ticketing details for all six Test are being finalised and will be announced in due course. Supporters are warned to only buy from official outlets.