The Springboks, the reigning world champions, will be making their long-awaited return to Bloemfontein to play Test rugby this year.
It will be the first time since their 2022 Test against Wales, which unfortunately ended in a narrow defeat of 13-12. This upcoming match holds special significance as it marks the first-ever meeting between the Springboks and Portugal in the Test arena.
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Rugby fans can mark their calendars for Saturday, July 20, following the two Test series against Ireland, which will be held at Loftus Versfeld and King’s Park.
While Portugal may not have the same rugby pedigree as the formidable Springboks, they have proven their mettle by defeating Fiji at the 2023 World Cup in France.
The announcement of this exciting match against Portugal was made by SA Rugby on Friday, along with the release of the full home fixture list for the July and Rugby Championship matches.
After the Tests against Ireland and the one-off match against Portugal, the Springboks will shift their focus to the Rugby Championship.
Under the guidance of coach Rassie Erasmus, the team will face New Zealand in Tests scheduled for Johannesburg and Cape Town on August 31 and September 7 respectively. They will then take on Argentina in Nelspruit on Saturday, September 28.
“We are thrilled to be returning to Bloemfontein for this historic match and are determined to continue making our passionate supporters proud,” said Erasmus. With the venue now confirmed, preparations for the home Tests are in full swing.
The anticipation for the upcoming season is heightened, especially after the Springboks’ successful defense of the Rugby World Cup title in 2023.
Ticketing details for all six Tests are currently being finalized and will be announced soon. Supporters are advised to purchase tickets only from official outlets to ensure a smooth and secure experience.
Springboks’ home Test schedule for 2024:
– Saturday, 6 July: SA v Ireland (Pretoria)
– Saturday, 13 July: SA v Ireland (Durban)
– Saturday, 20 July: SA v Portugal (Bloemfontein)
– Saturday, 31 August: SA v New Zealand (Johannesburg)
– Saturday, 7 September: SA v New Zealand (Cape Town)
– Saturday, 28 September: SA v Argentina (Nelspruit)
