A youthful Springbok team delivered an impressive performance, scoring 10 tries to secure a commanding 64-21 victory against Portugal at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Saturday, 20 July 2024.
Match Recap:
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu emerged as the standout performer, captivating fans and securing 37% of the votes in a post-match poll. His influence was pivotal as the Springboks transformed a 29-7 half-time lead into a comprehensive 64-21 win. Feinberg-Mngomezulu played a key role in two of Makazole Mapimpi’s three tries and maintained his perfect goal-kicking record with five conversions.
Despite being reduced to 14 men due to a controversial red card for Andre Esterhuizen, the Springboks displayed resilience and dominance. The decision to red card Esterhuizen sparked debate among fans and pundits, with former England prop Joe Marler labeling it as “ridiculous,” and Victor Matfield disagreeing with the call during his commentary.
Historic Moment:
The match also marked a historic moment with Hollie Davidson becoming the first woman to referee a South Africa Test. She quickly established her authority, overseeing the Springboks' emphatic victory.
Emerging Talent:
The performance of the debutants added a fresh dynamic to the Springbok squad. Four of the seven debutants – Phepsi Buthelezi, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Quan Horn, and Andre-Hugo Venter – scored tries in their first appearances in the green and gold. Loose-forward Ben-Jason Dixon also scored his first Test try in his first start.
Rassie Erasmus expressed his satisfaction with the debutants, saying, “There were seven of them and four scored tries. It makes it interesting now to pick a squad for the Rugby Championship. The way they rewarded us for giving them that chance was unbelievable. I am really proud of all of them.”
Looking Ahead:
The Springboks now turn their attention to the Rugby Championship, with the squad selection becoming more intriguing following the impressive performances against Portugal.
Next Fixture:
Date: Saturday, 10 August 2024
Competition: Rugby Championship
Opponent: Australia
Kick-off: 06:30
Stay tuned for more updates as the Springboks prepare to face Australia in their next Rugby Championship encounter.
