Following the Springboks’ 64-21 victory over Portugal, here are our five takeaways from the clash in Bloemfontein.
Top line
It was an historic day in the City of Roses as seven players made their Test debuts for the Springboks in a first-ever international match between the world champions and Portugal.
An encounter played at an electrifying pace with the physicality and ferocity of an old rivalry and, while Rassie Erasmus‘ charges stole the show scoring 10 of the 13 tries, Os Lobos can leave the republic with their heads held high.
South Africa were dealt an early blow as Andre Esterhuizen looked to enforce himself on proceedings only to be sent for an early shower for a dangerous tackle on Jose Lima. It ended the latter’s game just two minutes after the first whistle had been blown by referee Hollie Davidson, who was the first women to officiate a Springboks game and did so brilliantly.
Os Lobos drew first blood as Jose Paiva dos Santos capitalised on a spilt ball from Evan Roos but the Springboks hit back emphatically with debutant and local boy Jan-Hendrik Wessels crossing for his first five points in international rugby after a great offload by Man of the Match RG Snyman.
The Springboks went to work from there, despite the inspired defensive efforts of the Portugal defence, and racked up a 29-7 half-time lead as debutant Phepsi Buthelezi, fellow flanker Ben-Jason Dixon, winger Kurt-Lee Arendse and returning centre Lukhanyo Am all grabbed tries.
Veteran winger Makazole Mapimpi would score the first, second and last try of the second half sealing his hat-trick against Portugal with debutants Quan Horn and Andre-Hugo Venter both scoring their first Test points.
Dos Santos would double up in the second half with Jose Madeira also scoring for the visitors as the Bloemfontein faithful got full value for their gate fee.
Laying down a marker and getting it wrong
For many of the Springboks players, the clash against Os Lobos provided them with the opportunity to stamp their mark on the jersey and convince the coaching staff that they deserve more minutes going forward.
However, in Esterhuizen’s case, he was unable to do so despite clearly being hellbent on producing a statement performance. It was evident with his very first carry as he hammered into the Portuguese defence from the kick-off but he got his tackle all wrong. It was a furious hit but he was judged to have made head-on-head contact with Os Lobos’ Lima.
Whether you agree with the decision or not, one thing that cannot be argued is that Esterhuizen should absolutely be going lower into contact. It is something that the Springboks generally pride themselves on and take incredibly seriously and rightly so. Today, the red card had little bearing on the final result but it could have been an entirely different story against stronger opposition. Let’s also not forget that his tackle ended Lima’s game through a concussion and that kind of tackle is exactly the type of incident World Rugby wants to stamp out. With Arendse and Horn visiting the sin bin, Erasmus will be livid by his charges’ lack of discipline.
Esterhuizen was not the only Springbok who failed to prove a point as Manie Libbok once again impressed with ball in hand but not so off the tee. The Stormers man is lauded for his ability in attack and today he assisted another try but again he missed from the tee, failing to convert three of his five shots at goal.
The Boks’ new attack system really suits Libbok’s game but, if he continues to misfire off the tee, the likes of Handre Pollard and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will be favoured.
‘Ridiculous’ – Springboks fans fume after Andre Esterhuizen sees red for ‘completely legal’ tackle
Debut delight as new era Springboks take centre stage
Seven players in total made their maiden bow for the Springboks in Bloemfontein while lock Salmaan Moerat skippered the side for the first time. Again, Bloemfontein was the stage where the debutants made their mark much like they did in 2022. All seven players impressed in their own way in a rather pleasing performance for the Springbok coaching staff.
After playing the entire season for the Bulls at hooker, Wessels looked unfussed with his switch to the side of the scrum, holding his own at the set-piece and seriously impressing around the park. Not only was he incredibly athletic in getting to the rucks and tackles but it was his physicality whilst there. He was the first debutant to cross the whitewash after a wonderful offload from Snyman.
Johan Grobbelaar finally got his opportunity and took it with both hands being an absolute pest at the breakdown and accurate with his set-pieces. Buthelezi was one of the quieter debutants but was solid and also grabbed a debut try.
Erasmus emptied the bench and there were scores for newbies Andre-Hugo Venter and Horn while Morne van den Berg and Ruan Venter made a good account of themselves.
It would be remiss not to mention the other debutant in Bloem, referee Davidson. Becoming the first woman to officiate a Springbok Test match and despite it being an action-packed clash, she acquitted herself brilliantly throughout. Like many of the above-mentioned Springboks, she too is set for a glittering international career.
Next PSDT, sensational Sacha
It is no secret that Erasmus is looking to blood in new stars into the Springboks’ Green and Gold jersey and while the debutants impressed, two newly capped internationals were phenomenal.
Given his luckless injury record and at the age of 31, Erasmus is addressing the future of the Bok number seven jumper without Pieter-Steph du Toit. It is certainly not a pressing issue as of yet as Du Toit continues to be the best blindside flanker in the game but he looks to be getting stiff competition from Dixon, who earned just his second Test cap today and grabbed his first five-pointer.
The Stormer was utterly superb from minute one to 80 as he hammered through an impressive performance. He looked to the manor born to that iconic seven jersey and fits the template that Juan Smith and Du Toit have set. He worked tirelessly at the breakdown, in defence and carried powerfully. His first call-up to the Boks squad may have caught many by surprise but he is more than just making up the numbers at this point and if Du Toit is to miss Rugby Championship fixtures through injury, then Dixon would be an able replacement.
Meanwhile, we are running out of superlatives for the sensational baller that is Feinberg-Mngomezulu. The 22-year-old has taken to Test rugby like a pig to mud and after a strong showing against Ireland, he kicked it up a gear with a mind-blowing cameo off the bench.
He gained over 40 metres with the ball in hand, ran the attack superbly from fly-half, assisted two tries and kicked all five of his shots at goal. Test rugby should not look this easy for a 22-year-old. He is not a superstar for the future, he is one already.
Portugal spirit
While fans were baying for a third Test match between the Springboks and Ireland to decide the series, Portugal were pleased to be tackling a Tier One nation in their own backyard. For many, they will have never played in front of a passionate crowd of over 40,000 or even dreamt it but boy did they not disappoint.
They put on a wonderful show of heart, desire and beautiful attacking rugby paired with a never-give-up attitude on defence. With these Tier One v Tier Two Test matches, there is always a risk of it just being a training run for the bigger nation but that was not the case today as Portugal were hellbent on not being the whipping boys.
They can return home with their heads held high after impressing in several areas of the game such as the lineout and counter-attack and with the knowledge that they did not just roll over – this despite being without some of their star men including the brilliant back-rower Nicolas Martins.
It was a historic encounter in the Free State and the visitors certainly played their part, and some, in a thrilling encounter.
READ MORE: Who is Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu? Get to know the Springboks’ latest prodigy
