BaaBaas opportunity not a Bok trial for Gelant
SPOTLIGHT: As the only Springbok in the Barbarians squad, Warrick Gelant’s focus is solely on representing the invitational side, and he won’t use the opportunity to impress Rassie Erasmus.
The 2019 World Cup winner has been in the Test wilderness since August 2022. He played his last match for the Boks against the Wallabies at the Adelaide Oval.
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He remained a mainstay in the Stormers set-up and enjoyed a stint with Top 14 side Racing 92 in between and will now face his national teammates when the Springboks take on the Barbarians in Gqeberha on June 20.
For Gelant, representing the Barbarians is a unique experience, and using it as an international trial for Bok selection would undermine that experience.
“I could never see representing the Barbarians as a trial match to get back into the Bok setup,” Gelant told Rugby365.
“If I do that, it would take away from this experience with the BaaBaas.
“There are obviously roles and responsibilities from the selectors who they feel will suit their game best.
“To be in that [Bok] eyeline is not the responsibility of the [BaaBaas] selectors.”
Gelant highlighted the Barbarians’ ethos and his excitement to play alongside players from different countries.
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“We just focus on the way we want to play rugby and express ourselves in a way that’s aligned with them and not suffocate ourselves with who we are as players.
“The BaaBaas are all about having fun and getting to know each other.
“There are world-class players in this squad from all over the world, and you want to leave that on the field and in this fraternity and make friends with them.
“It’s impossible for me to say I’ll use this as a trial match whilst having some of the best players in the world next to me.
“I focus on getting that right for the Barbarians. It’s my first time in this setup, and I want to make it memorable.”
The playmaker, affectionately known as ‘Boogie’, hailed the impact of two of his coaches in Los Pumas boss Felipe Contepomi and former All Black and Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson.
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“Felipe [Contepomi] is a player I grew up watching. He’s one of the few Argentinians you could relate to in the way that he played the game as a No.10 or inside centre.
“The way he controlled the game through kicking, running and passing… he’s experienced.
“The same for Razor [Scott Robertson], he’s open, down to earth and makes himself accessible.
“We learn from each other and share ideas and make plans on the go.
“There are things I can take back that I learnt from him to the Stormers or teach younger players.
“It’s IP one can share with the world, which is special.”
