History beckons for Boks in Cape Town

Rugby history will be rewritten when the Springboks launch their 2025 season against the Barbarians at the Cape Town Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday, June 28.

It will mark the first time the famous international invitational outfit will be in action on South African soil.

The Barbarians, consisting of players who ply their trade in the United Rugby Championship, French Top 14, English Premiership, Super Rugby, and the Japanese League will be coached by the experienced Robbie Deans, a former All Black who was also in charge of the Wallabies and the Crusaders in a coaching career spanning almost three decades.

The BaaBaas match in Cape Town in June will be the ninth meeting between the Boks and the famous black-and-white-clad club, and the first since November 5 2016, when the teams played to a 31-all draw at Wembley Stadium in London.

“This is a historic moment and it will be very special to welcome the Barbarians to South Africa for the first time,” said South African Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer.

“The Springboks wanted a match before the series against Italy to prepare and we’re really grateful to our friends at the Barbarians for assisting in bringing this encounter to life.”

Since the first clash between the sides in 1952, the Barbarians have won four games and the Springboks three, to add to the draw nine years ago. The Boks’ last victory over the Barbarians was on 10 December 2000 in Cardiff, by 41-31.

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus said the match would be the perfect trigger to get his players into match-mode before the July Incoming Series, which features two Tests against Italy on July 5 and 12 and one against Georgia on July 19.

The article continues below …

“It’s always exciting to face the BaaBaas, and this match will be particularly special as it marks the first time that we will face them in South Africa,” said Erasmus.

“For us, this will be the perfect opportunity to get the players match-ready for the official international season, which starts a week later.

“With a big squad one can simulate a match situation, but there is nothing like a proper international with the full build-up and the pressure to get the players battle-ready, so this is a great occasion for us.

“With the Barbarians team featuring players from across the world, they are tough to analyse, so the key for us will be to focus on our structures and what we want to achieve on the field.”

Deans, who will be assisted by Patrice Collazo (Racing 92, France), Atsushi Kanazawa (Wild Knights, Japan) and former All Black lock Sam Whitelock, said: “It is exciting news to have the iconic Barbarians announced to play against the World Champion Springboks in Cape Town in late June – these are two of the biggest brands in the game.

“The last occasion these two teams met at Wembley resulted in a draw. The Springboks have achieved a lot since that day, this will be an altogether different challenge on-site in South Africa.

“We are hopeful of putting together a combination that will provide the sort of spectacle that the occasion deserves.”

Erasmus added: “We may have had a satisfying 2024 season, but this is a new year and a fresh challenge, and we’d like to start strong and build momentum as the season progresses.

“We have a tough year ahead, and the Barbarians, who are usually laden with seasoned internationals, will provide the perfect test before the Incoming Series.”

The Incoming Series will be followed by the Rugby Championship against Australia on August 16 and 23 in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

The Boks will then face the All Blacks on September 6 and 13 in New Zealand, and Argentina on September 27 and October 4 in Durban and London respectively, before the Boks will depart on their traditional end-of-the-year tour.

Springbok home fixtures 2025:

June 28: Barbarians v SA – Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town

Incoming Series:

Rugby Championship: