History will be made in Bloemfontein on Saturday, as South Africa and Portugal meet for a rugby Test match for the first time at the Free State Stadium.
The pair, who have avoided each other for all these years, go head-to-head in a one-off encounter.
It follows a drawn, two-match series between the Springboks and Ireland, as the Irish hit back with a last-gasp win in Durban last weekend.
International Rugby: South Africa vs Portugal – kick off 17.00 SAST
The Springboks are back in action on Saturday for a rugby first: a Test match between themselves and Portugal in Bloemfontein.
You can’t argue the South Africans aren’t tuned up for the rare encounter.
They must pick themselves up after the deflation of throwing away a 1-0 series lead over Ireland at Kings Park a week ago, conceding a drop goal with the last kick of the match to see the two-game series squared.
Rassie Erasmus’s charges had earlier come through a bruising Pretoria encounter seven days earlier, as the World Rugby ranked number one and two nations battled it out nine months after their World Cup pool phase encounter in France.
Their opponents won hearts and minds in that event, shocking the rugby globe when they sealed a thrilling, 24-23 win over quarter-finalists Fiji in Pool C.
It was a key moment in the rise of the Tier Two country up to 15th in the World Rugby rankings.
And they picked off fellow World Cup qualifiers Namibia last weekend 37-22, in a handy warm up for their David vs Goliath clash with the planet’s leading rugby nation.
The Boks are predictably much-changed from their Irish exertions, with seven uncapped players named in the squad and a bundle of leading lights released to their various provinces.
Among the firsts is a maiden appointment as South Africa’s captain for Salmaan Moerat, who becomes the latest to take the responsibility of a nation in the Free State.
Phepsi Buthelezi, Johan Grobbelaar and Jan-Hendrik Wessels all make their Springboks debuts in the run-on pack.
Andre-Hugo Venter, Ruan Venter, Morne van den Berg and Quan Horn, meanwhile, are all awaiting their first taste of the green and gold among the replacements.
They’re not without experience either, with the likes of Trevor Nyakane, Thomas du Toit and RG Snyman all among the forwards in the matchday squad.
Manie Libbok, Cobus Reinach, Makazole Mapimpi and Lukhanyo Am, meanwhile, are among the leading names in a much more familiar back line.
Portugal are led from inside centre by Tomas Appleton, who was so impressive in France last year.
Simao Bento, Manuel Cardoso Pinto, and Rodrigo Marta all pose a threat among the backs for Simon Mannix’s side.
Francisco Fernandes takes plenty of responsibility in the front row for Los Lobos, with the experienced starter having also caught the eye on the World Cup stage.
At the other end of the scale – and yet another first – is the appearance of Scottish referee Hollie Davidson, who becomes the first female official to take charge of a Springboks Test match.
South Africa Starting XV: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Manie Libbok, Cobus Reinach, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 RG Snyman, 4 Salmaan Moerat (captain), 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 Morné van den Berg, 22 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 23 Quan Horn.
Portugal Starting XV: 15 Simao Bento, 14 Manuel Cardoso Pinto, 13 Jose Lima, 12 Tomas Appleton, 11 Rodrigo Marta, 10 Joris Moura, 9 Hugo Camacho, 8 Vasco Baptista, 7 Diego Pinheiro, 6 Jose Madeira, 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 da Cunha, Antonio Rebelo Andrade, 20 Andre Cunha, 21 Pedro Lucas, 22 Domingos Cabral, 23 Jose Paiva dos Santos.
| Team | Win % Prediction | Score Prediction |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 99% | 49 |
| Portugal | 1% | 3 |