Bloemfontein and the Springboks are set for a secodn take against Portugal later this year, according to weekend reports.

The Portugese were popular visitors to the Free State last year and played some attractive rugby in losing 64-21 to the Springboks. A Sunday newspaper revealed that Os Lobos are likely to return as Bok coach Rassie Erasmus finds opponents to fill his 15-match schedule for the Boks.

Earlier this month, Erasmus confirmed the Springbok schedule for the year and said he wanted two “extra” Tests in this vital year of preparation for the 2027 World Cup in Australia.

Erasmus has 82 players on his Springbok radar and wants to test the newcomers while gauging whether the older players still have what it takes. It would appear that Portugal will fill one of those slots and it won’t be long before the final opponent is identified as the Test season creeps closer.

The Boks begin their action-packed year with a festival game against the Barbarians on June 28 at a venue to be finalised, and conclude against Wales in Cardiff on November 29.

In between there are mouthwatering showdowns with the All Blacks (twice), Australia (twice), Ireland and France at the end of the year.

2025 Springbok schedule

Note: Portugal Test to be confirmed

28 June: v Barbarians, venue TBC

5 July: v Italy @ Loftus Versveld, Pretoria

12 July: v Italy @ Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha

19 July: v Georgia @ Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit

16 August: v Australia @ Ellis Park, Johannesburg

23 August: v Australia @ Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town

6 September: v New Zealand @ Eden Park, Auckland

13 September: v New Zealand @ Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington

27 September: v Argentina @ Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban

4 October: v Argentina @ Twickenham, London

8 November: v France, TBC

15 November: v Italy, TBC

22 November: v Ireland, TBC

29 November: v Wales, TBC