Salmaan Moerat lead out the Springboks against Portugal at the Free State Stadium. Salmaan Moerat lead out the Springboks against Portugal at the Free State Stadium. Picture: Phill Magakoe / AFP
New Springboks captain Salmaan Moerat believes a 64-21 triumph over Portugal in a one-off Test on Saturday has given head coach Rassie Erasmus a challenge he will relish.
"I am very proud of everyone, especially the debutants. I think Rassie is going to have a tough job when he selects the Rugby Championship squad," said Moerat after an experimental side won.
Forwards Jean-Hendrik Wessels, Johan Grobbelaar and Phepsi Buthelezi were debutants who started and backs Quean Horn and Morne van den Berg and forwards Andre-Hugo Venter and Ruan Venter came off the bench.
The Springboks take a break after defeating Wales, winning and losing against second-ranked Ireland and overpowering Portugal, then travel to Australia for Tests on August 10 and 17.
All the newcomers in the matchday 23 against Portugal impressed in Bloemfontein as the hosts scored 10 tries despite having 15 men on the field for just three minutes.
Centre Andre Esterhuizen had a third-minute yellow card changed to a red, and winger Kurt-Lee Arendse and replacement back Quan Horn were sin-binned, twice reducing South Africa to 13 men.
While 43 points separated top-ranked South Africa from 15th-placed Portugal at the final whistle, the lock praised Os Lobos (The Wolves).
"Portugal showed in the (2023) World Cup exactly what quality they have and we saw that again tonight. I'm still trying to catch my breath as they took us coast to coast (wing to wing)."
Named captain after many regulars, including captain Siya Kolisi were rested, Moerat said leading the Springboks was an "immense moment".
"It will take me some time to realise the magnitude of being captain for the first time. I am extremely proud to represent my family and my community.
"Hopefully we put on a performance that made them proud."
Portugal captain and centre Tomas Appleton admitted that it was "difficult for us - a day of struggle against the best team in the world".
"We had to step up and sometimes our performance was not where we wanted it to be. This is a proud team and we really enjoyed the game and the atmosphere."
AFP