South Africa’s wing Makazole Mapimpi led the charge as the world champions dominated Portugal in a one-off Test match in Bloemfontein. Despite facing a red card and two yellow cards, South Africa scored 10 tries to Portugal’s three, with Mapimpi claiming a hat-trick. The Springboks fielded an experimental side and made history with Scot Hollie Davidson becoming the first woman to referee a Springboks Test match. The match saw several debutants for South Africa shine, including prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels and flanker Phepsi Buthelezi, who both scored tries in their first appearances for the national team.
The game got off to a tumultuous start as South Africa found themselves down to 14 men within the first three minutes after center Andre Esterhuizen received a red card following an off-field review by Davidson. Despite this setback, the Springboks rallied and scored their first try through prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels. The lead changed hands multiple times in the first half, with South Africa showing resilience despite being a man down. The home team capitalized on opportunities and went into halftime with a comfortable lead of 29-7.
In the second half, Portugal struggled to keep pace with a relentless South African attack. Mapimpi continued to make an impact, scoring two more tries to complete his hat-trick. The Springboks showcased their depth as replacements such as Quan Horn and Andre-Hugo Venter also got on the scoreboard. Fly-half Manie Libbok and his replacement, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, added points with conversions to extend South Africa’s lead. The Portuguese side fought bravely but were ultimately outclassed by the world champions.
Despite facing setbacks in the form of cards and injuries, South Africa displayed their resilience and depth to secure a convincing victory over Portugal. The match marked a significant milestone with Davidson making history as the first woman to officiate a Springboks Test match. The Springboks’ dominant performance in Bloemfontein showcased the strength and talent within the team, with several debutants making a strong impression. Mapimpi’s hat-trick and the overall team effort highlighted South Africa’s skill and determination on the field.
In conclusion, South Africa’s comprehensive win over Portugal in the one-off Test match was a testament to the team’s talent and depth. Despite facing challenges such as red and yellow cards, the Springboks showed resilience and dominance throughout the game. Mapimpi’s hat-trick and strong performances from debutants added to the impressive display by South Africa. The match was a historic occasion with Davidson breaking barriers as the first woman to referee a Springboks Test match. Overall, the victory highlighted South Africa’s status as world champions and their ability to overcome obstacles to emerge victorious on the field.
