History to be made in Springboks vs Portugal Test in Bloemfontein
History will be made when the Springboks take on Portugal in their final Incoming Series Test in Bloemfontein on Saturday, 20 July.
History will be made when the Springboks take on Portugal in their final Incoming Series Test in Bloemfontein on Saturday, 20 July.
World Rugby has confirmed the appointment of Scotland’s Hollie Davidson as referee.
The 31-year-old will become the first woman to take charge of a Test involving the Springboks.
Davidson will be helped by assistant referees Craig Evans (Wales) and Mike Adamson (Scotland), while Andrew McMenemy (Scotland) will be on TMO duty.
Saturday’s match will be the 546th that the Springboks will play since their very first on 30 July 1891 against the British & Irish Lions at the Crusaders Ground in then Port Elizabeth.
Meanwhile, the Springboks have faced 25 different opponents in their long history, but never have they taken on Portugal.
That will change when the two sides square off at the Toyota Stadium.
Kick-off is at 17:00.
SPRINGBOKS’ ALL-TIME TEST RECORD
| Country | Tests | Win | Lose | Draw |
| New Zealand | 106 | 40 | 62 | 4 |
| British & Irish Lions | 49 | 25 | 18 | 6 |
| Australia | 93 | 50 | 40 | 3 |
| England | 46 | 28 | 16 | 2 |
| Ireland | 30 | 19 | 10 | 1 |
| France | 46 | 28 | 12 | 6 |
| NZ Cavaliers | 4 | 3 | 1 | |
| World Invitation | 3 | 3 | ||
| Wales | 42 | 34 | 7 | 1 |
| South America | 8 | 7 | 1 | |
| Pacific Islands | 1 | 1 | ||
| Argentina | 36 | 32 | 3 | 1 |
| Scotland | 29 | 24 | 5 | |
| Japan | 3 | 2 | 1 | |
| Georgia | 2 | 2 | ||
| Fiji | 3 | 3 | ||
| Tonga | 3 | 3 | ||
| Italy | 16 | 15 | 1 | |
| Samoa | 9 | 9 | ||
| Canada | 3 | 3 | ||
| USA | 4 | 4 | ||
| Romania | 2 | 2 | ||
| Spain | 1 | 1 | ||
| Uruguay | 3 | 3 | ||
| Namibia | 3 | 3 |
SPRINGBOKS STAY TOPS, PORTUGAL 15TH
Rassie Erasmus’s men will be looking to bounce back from their defeat to Ireland in Durban on Saturday, while Portugal are coming off a 37-22 win over Namibia.
Portugal had a successful Rugby World Cup 2023 campaign, during which they beat Fiji 24-23 and drew with Georgia 18-18.
They lost their other two Pool C matches against Wales (28-8) and Australia (34-14).
Meanwhile, despite their defeat to Ireland, the Springboks maintained their top spot in the World Rugby rankings.
The Springboks have 93.11 points, with Ireland in second on 92.12.
New Zealand, who beat England 24-17 on Saturday, stayed third on 90.37 points.
Portugal, who beat Namibia 37-22 over the weekend, moved up to 15th place in the latest standings with 70.61 points.
LATEST WORLD RUGBY RANKINGS
| Rank | Country | Points |
| 1 | South Africa | 93.11 |
| 2 | Ireland | 92.12 |
| 3 | New Zealand | 90.37 |
| 4 | France | 88.49 |
| 5 | England | 85.40 |
| 6 | Scotland | 82.82 |
| 7 | Argentina | 80.10 |
| 8 | Italy | 78.98 |
| 9 | Australia | 78.70 |
| 10 | Fiji | 77.44 |
| 11 | Wales | 76.04 |
| 12 | Georgia | 74.36 |
| 13 | Samoa | 73.65 |
| 14 | Japan | 72.63 |
| 15 | Portugal | 70.61 |