Blitzbokke off to winning start

In a scrappy game where the physical Portugese were more than happy to give away penalties and play spoiling rugby, the Blitzbokke showed discipline, grit and resolve to get through the match unscathed.

After struggling and making a few unforced errors in the beginning of the match, the Blitzbokke eventually broke through as Bernardo Botha found himself in space after a deft change of direction by Paul Delport and went in at the corner.

In the second half the Blitzbokke were much more effective as they dominated proceedings but still struggled to turn this into points. They managed to break through eventually through captain Kyle Brown who went over and from the kickoff scored immediately again as the Portugese knocked on from the kickoff and William Small-Smith pounced and ran through untouched.

Portugal scored a late consolation try through Frederico Oliviera, who stepped Botha a bit too easily on his way to the line.