Barbarians v South Africa -Teams and Prediction
History will be made when the Barbarians take on the Springboks on South African soil for the very first time.
The famous invitational side and the World Cup champs will go head to head at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.
A fixture like this is usually contested at the end of the season.
However, this time the showdown precedes the Springboks’ 13-Test season, which includes clashes against New Zealand, France, and Ireland.
Therefore, it is not strange that Rassie Erasmus, along with his fellow Springboks coaches and players, have made it clear that they see this fixture as a TEST!
In other words, there’s no time for fun – the World No.1 must win.
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The Springboks have played the Barbarians eight times.
Surprisingly, the Barbarians have won four, the Boks three, and the last time they met it ended in an epic 31-all draw at Wembley Stadium back in 2016.
The last time the Springboks won was in 2000.
However, a lot has changed since then.
The South Africans have secured back-to-back World Cup titles, taking their total to a record four and are currently at the top of world rugby.
They recorded 11 wins from 13 in 2024 and will want to continue on this path, while also changing their record against the Barbarians.
They are also eager to blood some new faces as they build toward the 2027 World Cup.
Erasmus has named four uncapped players in the team. Asenathi Ntlabakanye (prop) and Vincent Tshituka (blindside flank) are both in the starting line-up, while Marnus van der Merwe (hooker) and Neethling Fouché (prop) will feature off the bench.
There is also a new face as captain.
Jesse Kriel will lead the Boks for the first time, after skipper Siya Kolisi was ruled out of the clash due to a stiff neck on Friday.
“It’s special to be involved in Test matches again,” Kriel told reporters.
“As a player, you wait six months at your club and you put in a good performance because you want to be involved – this is what you live for as a player.
“So the guys are really embracing this responsibility.
“Everyone is excited for tomorrow [Saturday]. We’re approaching it as a Test match. It’s the start of our season and a massive one for us as the Springboks.
“I think it’s an important game and it shows how we want to start well and set the tone for the season.”
Assistant coach Mzwandile Stick added: “During the off-season, people always asked when we’re playing, and I know they’ve missed the Bok Fridays.
“We don’t take our passion for granted. We know that when rugby comes back, the vibe and the energy in the country are positive.
“And we are looking forward to adding to that and hopefully continuing to make people proud.”
No donkeys
The Barbarians will be eager to get one over the Springboks.
Barbarians head coach Robbie Deans named a star-studded team, with seven All Blacks – including Mark Telea, Hoskins Sotutu and Sam Cane – while Ireland legend Peter O’Mahony will captain the side.
Stormers lock Ruben van Heerden will also line up against his fellow countrymen in the second row, partnered with South African-born and current English international David Ribbans.
“They have brilliant individuals. Looking at guys like Telea, Sotutu, and you’ve got Ruben from South Africa, who understands how we operate.
“I know he [Van Heerden] will push himself to go hard because he was close to making our squad.
“But from my side, if I look at the Baabaas and how they’ve selected their squad, it’s actually what we need if we want to test our standard.
“I think with teams like New Zealand or Australia, it’s a bit easier because you know what you’re going to face and analysing is straightforward.
“However, we don’t know what to expect from these guys.
“One thing is for sure – they are going to give us a tough challenge.
“Let me put it this way: we don’t want to coach donkeys. Because sometimes when you manage donkeys, you put blinkers on them – and that’s how they operate. But againt the Baabaas, you’re playing with guys you don’t know what to expect from.
“So our guys have to make sure they make good, wise in decision-making and scan the field.
“The nicest thing about starting with a game like this is that they’re going to challenge our systems.
“And I’m going to enjoy that.”
Head to head
Amateur era: Barbarians 2-2 South Africa
Professional era: Barbarians 2-1 South Africa
Draw: One
Previous Results
1952: Springboks won 17-3
1961: Barbarians won 6-0
1970: Springboks won 21-12
1994: Barbarians won 23-15
2000: Springboks won 41-31
2007: Barbarians won 22-5
2010: Barbarians won 26-20
2016: 31-31 draw
Players to watch:
For the Barbarians: Where to start? Let’s begin with the local, Ruben van Heerden. The Stormers man will be out to prove his skills. He has been a standout for the Cape Town franchise and was awarded the URC Tackle Machine of the Season. The seasoned former All Blacks scrumhalf Tawera Kerr-Barlow’s sharp distribution and game management will be vital as he pairs with the Chiefs’ Josh Jacomb at halfback. The back three of Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens and Mark Telea on the wings, with France’s Melvyn Jaminet at fullback, is another big threat.
For South Africa: Among the Springboks, the new partnership of Morne van den Berg and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has the potential to be electrifying. The midfield combination of Jesse Kriel and Damian de Allende is another fan favourite and probably one of the best pairings around. In the forwards, keep an eye on the loose trio: Jean-Luc du Preez, Vincent Tshituka, and Marco van Staden. The lock pairing of Lood de Jager and Jean Kleyn is an interesting watch. And then there’s the big prop, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, who will want to put in everything to show he is Test-level material.
Prediction:
@rugby365com: Springboks by five points
Teams:
Barbarians: 15 Melvyn Jaminet, 14 Mark Telea, 13 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 12 Peter Umaga-Jensen, 11 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkins, 10 Josh Jacomb, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Shannon Frizell, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Peter O’Mahony (captain), 5 David Ribbans, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Paul Alo-Emile, 2 Camille Chat, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Ricky Riccitelli, 17 Hassane Kolingar, 18 Will Collier, 19 Josh Beehre, 20 Hoskins Sotutu, 21 Santiago Arata, 22 Joe Marchant, 23 Lachlan Boshier.
South Africa: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel (captain), 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Morné van den Berg, 8 Jean-Luc du Preez, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Andre Esterhuizen.
Date: Saturday, June 28
Venue: Cape Town Stadium
Kick-off: 17.10 (15.10 GMT)
Expected weather: Cloudy with a high of 13°C, dropping to 12°C.
Referee: AJ Jacobs
Assistant referees: Christopher Allison and Stephan Geldenhuys
TMO: Egon Seconds
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