Mapimpi hat-trick sparks Springboks as Portugal go under

■By SAM JACKSON

DISCIPLINE was an issue for a much changed South Africa but, despite their numerical disadvantage, the Springboks had more than enough to ease past Portugal in the first-ever meeting between the two sides.

The World Cup winners were stung early in their first Test meeting against 15thranked Portugal when centre Andre Esterhuizen was sent off for an illegal head-high tackle in the second minute.

Portugal took the lead through a brilliantly finish by winger Jose Paiva dos Santos but any hopes of a major upset were squashed with a 10-try Springbok onslaught.

Star man RG Snyman said: “Portugal moved the ball nicely out wide which we expected. It was unbelievable to have so many debutants out there doing their thing playing with such confidence.”

South Africa made 14 changes and handed seven debuts but dominated in a festival of running rugby in front of a capacity crowd.

Jan-Hendrik Wessels was driven over by his pack, scoring his first try on debut before Phepsi Buthelezi followed suit.

The Springboks pulled ahead even further when Kurt-Lee Arendse ran onto a beautiful Aphelele Fassi grubber.

Ben-Jason Dixon crossed but the hosts went down to 13 when Arendse was yellow carded for a neck roll.

That didn't stop the Boks add a fifth try before half time as Lukhanyo Am darted in.

Makazole Mapimpi raced through to score the sixth try of the night before quickly completing his hat-trick, while sandwiched between was Dos Santos scoring a consolation try.

Horn became the third player to score on debut when he ran a blindside line from a strong Bok scrum and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu converted from a tight angle to bring the 50 up.

Not to be outdone by the other debutants, Andre-Hugo Venter crashed over from short range, this time at the back of some brutal pick-up and drives by the Bok pack. Feinberg-Mngomezulu made it four conversions in a row and the lead was 5714 with just under 10 minutes to play.

Horn was yellow carded for a clumsy challenge in the air though and Portugal exploited the moment, with Duarte Torgai scoring their third try, but Mapimpi had the final say, scoring on the final hooter to send the joyful crowd home happy and proud.

Portugal head coach Simon Mannix said: “When you face the best team in the world away from home, it's always difficult. There were really harsh lessons against an incredibly physical side but I'm glad South Africa showed us the respect we deserve. We can take heart from scoring three good tries. ”