Springboks v Portugal preview: Os Lobos to feel the ‘wrath’ of the Bok backlash in historic Bloemfontein clash
Springboks centre Andre Esterhuizen and Portugal wing Rodrigo Marta will hope for big games.
The Springboks and Portugal wrap up their July internationals with an historic first Test match between the two nations in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
Rassie Erasmus’ largely changed side will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing defeat to Ireland, resulting in a drawn series. The Bok boss has made 14 changes to his starting XV, with Kurt-Lee Arendse the only starter from Durban keeping his spot.
While the Springboks are certainly testing their depth against Os Lobos, this outfit still boasts eight Rugby World Cup winners in the starting line-up, with another on the bench in Trevor Nyakane, as well as some of the brightest young talents in the republic.
Many of these players will be hellbent on taking their opportunity with both hands, particularly with the Rugby Championship fast approaching. Still, Portugal proved that they are no pushovers during the Rugby World Cup, and while they have not yet risen to the same level as the performance that secured a sensational win over Fiji, they will be keen to remind the rugby world just what they are capable of.
This all promises to produce a fantastic celebration of rugby after the ‘Tier One’ nations agreed to host fixtures against ‘Tier Two’ opponents in the years after a World Cup.
Where the game will be won
Portugal will be right up against it as they go toe-to-toe with the back-to-back Rugby World Cup winners in what many consider the epicentre of the rugby-mad nation.
For Os Lobos, they will need to be on top of their game in every single facet but they will be targeting a traditional strength of the Boks – the set-pieces.
The Portuguese attack was inspired during the World Cup, but frankly put, there is a small chance that it would unlock the Bok defence, and they will need to get their attacking opportunities from the set-pieces – as Ireland did.
Erasmus had handed two hookers and a loosehead their Test debuts, and Portugal could see that as an area where they may stand a chance to nullify one of their biggest weapons but still, it won’t be easy.
The Springboks’ brain trust will not accept anything other than dominance in the scrums and will set similarly lofty standards for the lineout. And if they do succeed, the scoreline could get rather ugly, rather quickly.
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What they said
Saturday’s game will be particularly special for seven South Africans who are set to make their Test debuts, including utility forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels, who packs down at loosehead prop.
“I’ve aspired to be a Springbok since I was a young boy, so this is massive opportunity and a dream come true,” he said.
“It’s special to make one’s Springbok debut no matter where you play, but it doesn’t get any better than being able to do so in Bloemfontein in front of my family. When I was growing up, we were all glued to the television when the Boks played, and the team has always inspired me.”
Meanwhile, for centre Lukhanyo Am the match marks his return to the Bok jersey after missing out on a cap during the World Cup due to injury.
“I’m really excited about the opportunity to be playing again this weekend,” the 30-year-old said.
“I’ve really had my ups and downs over the past 24 months with the Springboks in terms of injuries, so I’m really delighted to be back in the
group.
“Injuries are part of the game, they do happen and it’s just working hard and getting back to where you were. Me being back here, it’s such a good sign that at least I’ve tried my best and given myself the opportunity to be called up again, and I just can’t wait to be wearing the Green and Gold jersey again.”
Bok boss Erasmus is expecting a fierce battle against Portugal: “They proved that they could compete successfully against some of the top teams in the world, and we believe they will lift their game even more this weekend given the magnitude of facing the Springboks.
“This occasion will really excite them, and they’ll certainly give everything to make a statement for the Tier Two nations, so we have to deliver a top-quality performance to get a result.
“This match is also an opportunity for us to work on what went wrong last week and finish the Castle Lager Incoming Series on a high note, so we will treat them and the occasion with the respect it deserves.”
Players to watch
There is no shortage of talent that will be on display in Bloemfontein but the Springboks and Bulls fans will have their eye on the performance of hooker Johan Grobbelaar. The 26-year-old’s debut has been long overdue for many after his shining performances in the URC, and he finally gets his opportunity in the Green and Gold. Erasmus noted that he is ‘clearly the Boks’ third choice hooker’ recently, and now it is up to Grobbelaar let his performances back up that statement.
Lukhanyo Am’s name on the teamsheet is a welcome sight for any rugby fan following the classy centre’s injury prior to the World Cup. When fit and firing, he is one of the best number 13s in the game and Saturday’s clash is another chance for him to hit those highs once again.
If he played for just about any other nation, Thomas du Toit would have far more caps than his current tally of 18. But after a sensational debut season with Bath, the powerful swing prop gets his first taste of Test rugby this year by packing down on the tighthead side. The 29-year-old is primed to play a crucial role in the Bok set-up this World Cup cycle, and he will be out to lay down a marker.
Du Toit will be squaring up against Portugal fan-favourite Francisco Fernandes at loosehead. The powerful prop stood out for Os Lobos during the World Cup, and while many believed that he would retire after the tournament, he is still crashing into tackles and carries for Portugal.
While the Springboks start brilliant wingers Arendse and Makazole Mapimpi for Saturday’s encounter, Portugal have a serious weapon in Rodrigo Marta in the number 14 jumper. The 24-year-old is blessed with a blistering pace and a lethal sidestep. He scored just once during the World Cup last year but crossed for an impressive six tries in the Pro D2; the Boks will do well not to give him any space because he will pounce.
Main head-to-head
Opportunity knocks for Andre Esterhuizen and in typical style one would expect him to power through the door. The former Harlequins favourite and now Sharks centre has had to bide his time for Springbok minutes so on Saturday he’ll be determined to make this start count alongside the great Am.
Up against him is Portugal captain and centre Tomas Appleton, who is a practising dentist. His ability to deal with a cavity won’t bother the Boks in the slightest, but his sharp, defensive decision-making and burling carry will – a real force in the Portuguese backline and a real glue player for the side and his battle with Esterhuizen will be key.
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Prediction
With all due respect to Portugal, the Springboks will be expected to sweep Os Lobos aside and do so emphatically. A sold-out crowd in Bloemfontein just highlights the expectations the team will bear on their shoulders, and after the Boks’ disappointing showing against Wales at the venue two years ago, they will want to repay the faithful.
For Portugal, it will be a matter of survival, and while we expect them to put up a mighty fight for periods of the game, they will feel the wrath of the Springboks as they banish the visitors in a win by the margin of half a century at the least.
Previous results
This is the first official Test match between South Africa and Portugal.
The teams
South Africa: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 RG Snyman, 4 Salmaan Moerat (c), 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels
Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Ruan Venter, 20 Elrigh Louw, 21 Morne van den Berg, 22 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 23 Quan Horn
Portugal: 15 Simao Bento, 14 Manuel Cardoso Pinto, 13 Jose Lima, 12 Tomas Appleton (c), 11 Rodrigo Marta, 10 Joris Moura, 9 Hugo Camacho, 8 Vasco Baptista, 7 Diego Pinheiro, 6 Jose Maderia, 5 Duarte Torgal, 4 Nicolas Fernandes, 3 Diogo Hasse Ferreira, 2 Luka Begic, 1 Francisco Fernandes
Replacements: 16 David Costa, 17 Pedro Vicente, 18 Abel Cunha, 19 Antionio R. Andrade, 20 Andre Cunha, 21 Pedro Lucas, 22 Domingos Cabral, 23 Jose P. Santos
Date: Saturday, July 20
Venue: Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 17:00 local (16:00 BST)
Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU)
Assistant Referees: Craig Evans (WRU), Mike Adamson (SRU)
TMO: Andrew McMenemy (SRU)
