By The Boks received a warm welcome to the sports support hub of the country Bloemfontein on Thursday, 18 July 2024, ahead of their test match against Portugal on Saturday.
The Free State MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation Ms Zanele Sifuba accompanied by Cllr Gregory Nthatisi, the Executive Mayor of Mangaung Metro, welcomed the Springboks to the city and said they will also enjoy the support that Bafana Bafana enjoyed when playing with Zimbabwe.
The Bokke will however go up against Portugal without some key players including Siya Kolisi, as Coach Rassie Erasmus will be resting them for the 2024 Castle Larger Rugby Championship. The Coach released 16 players from his current squard.
The players released include Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Marco van Staden, Kwagga Smith, Jasper Wiese (all loose forwards), Eben Etzebeth (lock), Vincent Koch, Frans Malherbe, Gerhard Steenekamp (all props), Bongi Mbonambi, Malcolm Marx (both hookers), Willie le Roux (fullback), Cheslin Kolbe (wing), Faf de Klerk (scrumhalf), Handre Pollard (flyhalf) and Jesse Kriel (centre).
The Bokke are thrilled and looking forward to the match, the match test promises to be thriller for the fans.
The game will kick off at 17: 00 at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein.
