‘Historic’ clash with Springboks a massive moment for Portugal rugby
Split with Springboks stars and Portugal captain Tomas Appleton.
Portugal skipper Tomas Appleton emphasised how important the clash with the Springboks in the mid-year window is for the development of rugby in the country.
For the first time ever the two teams will face each other when the Springboks host Portugal at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on July 20.
It is a massive moment for Portugal who won over many hearts at the Rugby World Cup last year where they marked a memorable campaign with a win over Fiji in the Pool stage.
Big occasion
Appleton is excited for the Test and understands how important it is to expose Portuguese stars to a high level opponent.
“We have a massive game against South Africa in July,” Appleton told MailSport.
“We want to keep building to that game. It will be history for us to play the two-time world champions. It will be amazing.
“We want to show our best rugby and what we are able to do, as we did during the World Cup.
“Against South Africa we want to show our value. It’s crucial and really important for us to develop as a team and a rugby nation. We really need these games so we can expose players to a high level.”
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Springboks schedule
The Portugal Test is the final game of the mid-year window for the Springboks who will face Wales late in June at Twickenham. It is a particularly interesting Test as it falls out of the Test window meaning Rassie Erasmus will be unable to select any overseas-based stars.
It also falls on the same day as the United Rugby Championship final so if any South African teams reach the last two those players will also be unavailable. The Test is a chance to potentially blood some emerging talent.
After that, the Springboks turn their attention to a gruelling two-Test series against Six Nations champions Ireland where the best in the world debate can be settled.