Bloemfontein has been confirmed as the venue when the Springboks face Portugal in the historic first test between the nations on Saturday, 20 July, in the final match of the Castle Lager Incoming Series as part of a thrilling 2024 home test schedule.
Venue confirmed for the #Springboks' historic Test against Portugal in July - more here: https://t.co/bJV1nBFa6o 🇵🇹#StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/jIXCPelem6
— Springboks (@Springboks) January 26, 2024
The back-to-back Rugby World Cup champions return to the Toyota Stadium for the first time since their narrow 13-12 defeat against Wales in the City of Roses in 2022, and will be expecting a competitive challenge against Portugal, who defeated RWC quarterfinalists Fiji in their final pool match in France last year.
The confirmation of Bloemfontein as the venue for the test match completes the domestic test schedule, which begins with a two-test series against top international rivals Ireland in Pretoria and Durban on 6 and 13 July respectively. This will be followed a week later by the Portugal test.
The Springboks will then face New Zealand in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship in two tests in Johannesburg and Cape Town on 31 August and 7 September respectively, before lining up against Argentina in Nelspruit on Saturday 28 September.
“We are delighted that we will be returning to Bloemfontein for this historic match, and we are determined to continue make our passionate supporters proud,” said SA Rugby Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus.
“With the venue now confirmed we can go full steam ahead with our planning for the home tests from an operational perspective.
“There’s no doubt it has added to the excitement for the season ahead, especially after capping off the 2023 season by defending the Rugby World Cup title.”
Ticketing details for all six test are being finalised and will be announced soon, but supporters are warned to only buy from official outlets and not website such as Viagogo.
The Springboks’ home test schedule for 2024 is:
Saturday, 6 July: SA v Ireland (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
Saturday, 13 July: SA v Ireland (Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban)
Saturday, 20 July: SA v Portugal (Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein)
Saturday, 31 August: SA v New Zealand (Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg)
Saturday, 7 September: SA v New Zealand (DHL Stadium, Cape Town)
Saturday, 28 September: SA v Argentina (Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit)