The 64-21 win was achieved despite the Boks being reduced to 14 men in the second minute. (File photo). Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus admitted his selection for the Castle Lager Rugby Championship would be "interesting" after seven debutants appeared in a commanding performance over Portugal in South Africa's Bloemfontein on Saturday.
The 64-21 win was achieved despite the Boks being reduced to 14 men in the second minute, following a red card for Andre Esterhuizen, as well as twice being reduced to 13 with yellow cards for Kurt-Lee Arendse and Quan Horn.
Four of the seven debutants scored tries - Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Phepsi Buthelezi, Horn and Andre-Hugo Venter.
"I was happy with everything other than discipline - a red card and two yellows is not going to win you World Cups," Erasmus said.
"We had to make plans on the field to play with 14 - that's a nice experience.
"It wasn't a beautiful match at times, and it didn't look like we were going to punish them with 50 points, but the crowd never got negative, and I think that helped the players.
"Having seven debutants play, with four of them scoring tries, makes things interesting when it comes to selecting the squad for the Rugby Championship and the trip to Australia."
Erasmus said the squad would be named for the tour on Tuesday and he was happy to confirm the selectors had been given multiple options.
"I promised the whole squad that everyone would get a game today and at least 20 minutes on the field," he said.
"The way they rewarded us for giving them that chance was really unbelievable. I'm very proud of them.
"We will definitely be slowly integrating some of these players into the squad - some might play against Australia - but then not play against New Zealand - but then come back against Argentina."
The Springboks are next in action against Australia at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on 10 August.