The story of how the Wolves got to meet the Springboks
SPOTLIGHT: The deck is still stacked against the smaller nations and at the World Cup last year, the great divide between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots’ was once again highlighted.
Barring spirited performances from the likes of Portugal or Uruguay during the tournament, it was evident that there is still a need for a concerted effort to help emerging nations raise their game.
This week Portugal finds themselves in Bloemfontein, surrounded by a massive local Portuguese community who have welcomed them with open arms, preparing to take on the World Champions on Saturday.
During their training session at Grey College on Tuesday, their inspirational captain Tomas Appleton seemed to struggle with a shoulder injury and was taken through his paces by one of the medical staff next to the field.
They looked nervous – after all, a sell-out crowd awaited them at the Free State Stadium.
Since their historic victory over Fiji, the Os Lobos have been on the lips of many a rugby pundit.
They couldn’t have qualified for the World Cup more dramatically if they tried.
Samuel Marquez wrote his name into Portuguese folklore with a last-gasp penalty to secure qualification after a 16-all draw with the United States, which meant they won a four-team final qualifying tournament in Dubai that also included Hong Kong and Kenya.
Over the last couple of years, they suffered narrow defeats to Japan, Italy, and Georgia, while they warmed up for this competition with a 46-20 victory over the United States and a battling loss to Australia A.
All anoraks who have watched Portugal play over the past few years will say the same thing: ‘This team won’t die wondering. Portugal is a side that likes to put width on the ball and play the game at a real pace’.
They are not afraid to throw the ball around in their own 22 and they are an extremely exciting side to watch.
Come this Saturday, Os Lobos, or The Wolves, as Portugal is called, will face the biggest Test in their history – facing the world champions in South Africa.
Portugal has experienced unprecedented success in recent years, but the only way for them to step up and compete on an equal footing against the so-called big nations, more exposure to these rugby giants is needed.
Last weekend they recorded a convincing 37-22 victory against Namibia, a team that has competed at all seven World Cups, but has never been able to win a single game on the world stage.
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😱 É muita velocidade🔥
Imagens NMH#SN #Lobos #EspiritoLobo #SomosLobos #SummerTour pic.twitter.com/lN8ExSZP6m
— Portugal Rugby (@PortugalRugby) July 15, 2024
Following the departure of their former coach Patrice Lagisquet, the coach who orchestrated their road to the World Cup, New Zealander Simon Mannix was appointed.
The last time Portugal visited Namibia was in 1990 when they conceded a substantial 9-86 loss.
Mannix is a one-cap All Black who played against France in 1994.
His first job in coaching came at Racing 92 from 2007-2011. He then moved to Munster and later Pau.
His first coaching job on the international stage happened in 2019 when he took charge of Singapore. He resigned from that post in 2021 due to Covid and the role with Portugal is his first since then.
During last year’s World Cup, Portugal briefly got to number 12 in the world rankings. Since then, mainly because of their shock defeat to Belgium in the opening round of the Europe Championship, Os Lobos have slipped to 15th.
Improving on that will take some doing given their schedule, but Mannix believes regaining the 12th position is something to aim for in the not-too-distant future.
“Top 12 is doable if I look at the world ranking points,” he told RugbyPass.
“To do that you need to beat everyone just above you and then you need to take a Tier One scalp.
“There’s games there that you can target.”
Portugal is well aware that the Springboks might not be the top scalp they are looking for, but they will give it one heck of a go.
