Inside centre Tomas Appleton will lead emerging nation Portugal in a first-ever Test against the world champion Springboks in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

The back-to-back World Cup champions return to Free State Stadium for the first time since their narrow defeat to Wales in the City of Roses two years ago.

For Kiwi Simon Mannix’s Os Lobos, the clash is another opportunity to prove their mettle after their remarkable showing at the 2023 Rugby World Cup – drawing with Georgia to claim their first tournament point in World Cup history, before stunning Fiji in a 24-23 win.

A veteran of two World Cup campaigns and the most-capped player in the Portugal lineup (72), the 30-year-old Appleton will partner Jose Lima in midfield.

ALSO: Portugal fired up to ‘shock’ Boks

Wingers Manual Cordos Pinto and Rodrigo Marta, who both boast more than 30 caps, will combine with the 11-Test Simao Bento in the back three. Flyhalf Joris Moura and scrumhalf Hugo Camacho link up for the halfback pairing.

Up front, loosehead prop Francisco Fernandes, who made his 50th international appearance for Os Lobos in a 37-22 win over Namibia in Windhoek last week, will pack down with hooker Luka Begic and anchor 43-Test Diego Hasse Ferreira.

Seasoned loose forward Jose Madeira combines with No 8 Vasco Baptista and blindside flanker Diego Pinheiro, while lock Nicolas Fernandes is set to make his debut in the second row alongside Duarte Torgal.

Portugal – 15 Simao Bento, 14 Manual Cardoso Pinto, 13 Jose Lima, 12 Tomas Appleton (c), 11 Rodrigo Marta, 10 Joris Moura, 9 Hugo Camacho, 8 Vasco Baptista, 7 Diego Pinheiro, 6 Jose Madeira, 5 Duarte Torgal, 4 Nicolas Fernandes, 3 Diego Hasse Ferreira, 2 Luka Begic, 1 Francisco Fernandes.
Subs: 16 David Costa, 17 Pedro Vicente, 18 Abel da Cunha, 19 Antonio Rebelo Andrade, 20 Andre Cunha, 21 Pedro Lucas, 22 Domingo Cabrals, 23 Jose Paiva dos Santos.

Photo: @PortugalRugby/Twitter