By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
SA Rugby has confirmed Bloemfontein as the venue when the Springboks face Portugal in the historic first Test between the nations on Saturday, 20 July.
The encounter between the back-to-back Rugby World Cup champions and Os Lobos will be the final match of South Africa’s incoming series, which forms part of an exciting 2024 home Test schedule.
The Springboks are set to return to the Toyota Stadium for the first time since their narrow 13-12 loss against Wales in 2022 and will be expecting a tough challenge from Portugal, who beat 2023 World Cup quarter-finalists Fiji in their final pool match in France last year.
The confirmation of Bloemfontein as the venue for the Test between South Africa and Portugal completes the Boks’ domestic Test schedule, which kicks off with a two-Test series with current Six Nations champions Ireland in Pretoria and Durban on July 6 and 13, respectively. Those internationals will be followed a week later by their clash with Os Lobos.
South Africa will then face New Zealand in back-to-back Rugby Championship Tests in Johannesburg and Cape Town on August 31 and September 7, respectively, before taking on Argentina in Nelspruit on Saturday, September 28.
“We are delighted that we will be returning to Bloemfontein for this historic match, and we are determined to continue to make our passionate supporters proud,” said SA Rugby’s director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus.
“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.”
Springboks’ home Test schedule for 2024
Saturday, July 6: South Africa v Ireland (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
Saturday, July 13: South Africa v Ireland (Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban)
Saturday, July 20: South Africa v Portugal (Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein)
Saturday, August 31: South Africa v New Zealand (Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg)
Saturday, September 7: South Africa v New Zealand (DHL Stadium, Cape Town)
Saturday, September 28: South Africa v Argentina (Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit).