The Springboks are expecting an exciting and fast paced game on Saturday when they tackle Portugal in an historic Test in Bloemfontein.

The Boks and Os Lobos will lock-horns for the first time in front of what will be a capacity crowd in Bloemfontein.

The back-to-back world champions will be fielding a totally different team for the Test, while Portugal will have some nice momentum after beating Namibia in Windhoek on the weekend.

Portugal arrived in Bloemfontein on Sunday and they received a hero’s welcome at the Bram Fischer International Airport from the local Portuguese community who have a lot of plans to celebrate the occasion this week.

The Boks assistant coach, Deon Davids, told OFM Sport that the opponents have the ability to Test them, but for them it’s to rectify what went wrong against Ireland in Durban on the weekend, and return to the high standards that they drive.

“Well, obviously, I think as the Springboks, it's always for us about our game and the standards that we set and respecting the opposition, no matter who's our opponents,” said Davids.

“Reflecting back on last week's performance, obviously, we know there's a better standard that we can adhere to.

“That would be our big focus for this week, is to be the best team that we possibly can be and improve our performance and ensure that we play to the quality that the Springboks are known for.”

Davids added that Portugal plays a similar brand of rugby as the French and it will be important to focus on their game and execute.

“They are playing a type of French style rugby, like to keep the ball alive, and move the ball around. They also in the Rugby World Cup have beaten teams like Fiji.

“I know they've changed the coaching staff - the new coach is from New Zealand, which we were quite familiar with in terms of the mindset and the standard of attack and defence. So for us, it's going to be important that we keep them at bay in terms of how we dominate from an attacking side and from a defensive side, and not to allow them into the space they. Otherwise, they will move the ball around and get momentum.

“So, I think that would be our big focus in terms of how we can be better in those areas and ensure that we play on our terms and not on the oppositions.”

Saturday’s Test at the Toyota Stadium kicks off at 17:00.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport