Tier two nation Portugal were one of the stand-out performers in the pool stage of the Rugby World Cup in France, where the Springboks beat New Zealand 12-11 in the final.

Unfancied Portugal defeated Fiji and drew with Georgia, and won plenty of admirers for their enterprising style of play.

Their meeting with SA will follow two home Tests for the Boks against Ireland.

"We are delighted that we will be returning to Bloemfontein for this historic match," SA's Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus said in a statement.

"With the venue now confirmed we can go full steam ahead with our planning for the home Tests from an operational perspective."

S A's last Test in Bloemfontein was a first ever home loss to Wales as a much-changed side went down 13-12 in 2022.

 SA's home Tests in 2024: July Internationals July 6 v Ireland (Pretoria) July 13 v Ireland (Durban) July 30 v Portugal (Bloemfontein) Rugby Championship August 31 v New Zealand (Johannesburg) September 7 v New Zealand (Cape Town) September 28 v Argentina (Nelspruit)

--Reuters--