Established Figures and Newcomers Grab Chance in Best Boks' Contest Against Portugal
Revamped Rugby Recap
Saturday night in Bloemfontein was a showdown to remember as the Springboks demolished Portugal in a 64-21 victory, ényoungblood Salmaan Moerat leading the charge as the new captain. With seven fresh faces and an overhauled squad, the South African powerhouse was simply too much for Os Lobos, bagging 10 tries to their measly three.
Despite the early exit of Andre Esterhuizen due to a red card in the second minute, the Boks managed to bounce back from a heart-breaking 25-24 loss to Ireland in their previous match. The draw was disappointing after the Boks had won the initial encounter 27-20 in Pretoria.
Here are our top three standout Springbok players from the game:
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The Dynamic Dixon
Dixon, a 26-year-old Stormers star making his first start, was nothing short of phenomenal in a non-stop, 80-minute performance. His hard-hitting tackle fights in heavy traffic, coupled with his clever footwork in the tramlines, tormented the Portuguese defenders. He even managed to mow down their captain, Tomas Appleton, and made ferocious cleanouts all over the field.
Dixon's work rate was exceptional, highlighted by three key plays: first, his Johnny-on-the-spot presence allowed him to dive for his maiden Bok try; second, his ball-and-go approach saw him as the first man to support Kurt-Lee Arendse following a breakaway; third, his lightning-fast reaction resulted in a crucial turnover.
This spectacular showing has undoubtedly paved the way for more stardom for Dixon. His performance was just short of being a replica of Pieter-Steph du Toit's magnificence.
The Ageless Mapimpi
Mapimpi, a 33-year-old seasoned pro, showcased his enduring prowess with a hat-trick of tries in a busy and impactful outing. He finished off one slick set-piece try from a scrum, powered his way to the try line again following an incredible combination play with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and completed his hat-trick in the final play of the game, taking his Bok try-scoring tally to a staggering 30.
Mapimpi's overall output was exceptional – particularly his tireless efforts on cover defense, strong carries, and impressive breakup plays.
The Prodigious Feinberg-Mngomezulu
RG Snyman and Lukhanyo Am both had outstanding games, displaying immense combativity and class, respectively. However, Feinberg-Mngomezulu snagged the final spot on our podium. The 22-year-old flyhalf prodigy made his mark with two try assists, nailed all five of his kicks at goal, and launch a beautiful 50:22 kick that set up Andre-Hugo Venter's try. This highly-skilled cameo at flyhalf demonstrated that Feinberg-Mngomezulu is the future of South African rugby.
former editor of The Fever Media Group, deputy editor at eHowzit, editor at SARugby.com, and senior staff writer at Rugby365.com, he boasts over 15 years' experience in the sport and is currently a freelance sports writer.
[1] Rugby Legends Tour: Uniting South Africa and Portugal through Rugby[2] Rugby Legends Tour: Aiming for a memorable and uniting event in 2025.
- The impressive performance by Dixon in the rugby match between South Africa and Portugal is reminiscent of Pieter-Steph du Toit's brilliance, suggesting a promising future for the young star.
- Amidst the European leagues and premier-league sports games, the Rugby Legends Tour aims to foster unity between South Africa and Portugal in 2025.
- With his hat-trick of tries and impressive cover defense, Mapimpi demonstrated his enduring prowess in the sport, adding to his already staggering tally of 30 tries for the Springboks.
- The dynamic young player, Feinberg-Mngomezulu, showcased his skills in the recent rugby match, securing two try assists, nailing all five of his conversion attempts, and launching a beautiful 50:22 kick, solidifying his position as the future of South African rugby.
