Springboks Eben Etzebeth and Kurt-lee Arendse celebrate a try.

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 25: Kurt Lee-Arendse of South Africa celebrates his teammates after scoring a try during the Rugby World Cup 2023 warm up match between New Zealand and South Africa at Twickenham Stadium on August 25, 2023 in London, England. Photo: SA Rugby

Bloemfontein get ready, the Springboks are coming to town!

Bloemfontein has been confirmed as the host city for the Springboks’ home Test against Portugal in July.

Springboks Eben Etzebeth and Kurt-lee Arendse celebrate a try.

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 25: Kurt Lee-Arendse of South Africa celebrates his teammates after scoring a try during the Rugby World Cup 2023 warm up match between New Zealand and South Africa at Twickenham Stadium on August 25, 2023 in London, England. Photo: SA Rugby

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 Incoming Series as part of a thrilling 2024 home Test schedule.

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The back-to-back Rugby World Cup champions will 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 quarter-finalists 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 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.

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RASSIE EXCITED TO TAKE BOKS TO BLOEMFONTEIN

“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.

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SPRINGBOKS TEST SCHEDULE FOR 2024

OpponentDateVenueCompetition
Ireland6 JulyLoftus Versfeld, PretoriaIncoming mid-year tour
Ireland13 JulyKings Park, DurbanIncoming mid-year tour
Portugal20 JulyToyota Stadium, BloemfonteinIncoming mid-year tour
All Blacks31 AugustEllis Park, JohannesburgRugby Championship
All Blacks7 SeptemberDHL Stadium, Cape TownRugby Championship
Argentina28 SeptemberMbombela Stadium, NelspruitRugby Championship

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Springboks son first haircut Test
Springboks stars. Image via Instagram @bokrugby