South Africa (AP) — The historic sold-out first rugby test against Portugal on Saturday grew in importance for South Africa in the wake of the bruising Ireland series.
The Springboks were always going to experiment for Portugal with the 2027 World Cup in mind, but the match has also become a trial for the Rugby Championship after Ireland — which won the second test last weekend in Durban to draw the series — left them worse off than expected.
Springboks Vs Portugal Rugby Kickoff Time
The match kicks off at 11 a.m. EDT on July 20 in Bloemfontein, South Africa.
How To Watch Springboks vs Portugal Live Stream?
Springboks vs Portugal Live Stream On Rugby Pass TV.
South Africa World Rugby Ranking
The Springboks are ranked No. 1 in the world with 93.11 points.
Portgual World Rugby Ranking
Portugal is ranked No. 16 in the world with 70.61 points.
When Was The Last Time South Africa Rugby Played Portugal?
This is the first time in history the South Africa Springboks and Portugal will compete.
Lineups:
South Africa: Aphelele Fassi, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Makazaole Mapimpi, Manie Libbok, Cobus Reinach; Evan Roos, Ben-Jason Dixon, Phepsi Buthelezi, RG Snyman, Salmaan Moerat (captain), Thomas du Toit, Johan Grobelaar, Jan-Hendrik Wessels. Reserves: Andre-Hugo Venter, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Trevor Nyakane, Ruan Venter, Elrigh Louw, Morne van den Berg, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Quan Horn.
Portugal: Simao Bento, Manuel Cardoso Pinto, Jose Lima, Tomas Appleton (captain), Rodrigo Marta, Joris Moura, Hugo Camacho; Vasco Baptista, Diego Pinheiro, Jose Madeira, Duarte Torgal, Nicolas Fernandes, Diogo Hasse Ferreira, Luka Begic, Francisco Fernandes. Reserves: David Costa, Pedro Vicente, Abel da Cunha, Antonio Rebelo Andrade, Andre Cunha, Pedro Lucas, Domingos Cabral, Jose Paiva dos Santos.
