South Africa v Barbarians - Teams and Prediction
This Saturday is about new faces, old rivals, and a chance to build momentum, when the Springboks kick off their 2026 season against the Barbarians at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Gqeberha.
Although not an official Test and no ranking points are on offer, the match provides Rassie Erasmus with an ideal opportunity to assess new combinations and give several uncapped players a taste of international rugby.
For the Barbarians, it is another chance to showcase the free-flowing attacking style that has become synonymous with the famous invitational side.
*Article continues below…
Having coached the Barbarians himself, Erasmus does not underestimate the determination of the invitational side.
“I coached the Barbarians in 2018 against Argentina,” Erasmus said, adding: “Although it’s a fun week, it’s the Barbarian spirit and they will do all those great traditions this week.
“However, when you go onto the field, it’s intense and every Barbarians team is like that.
“It’s going to be open, running rugby and flamboyant. Most of the players you pick, you can’t coach a lot of things in three days, so getting all your systems in place is a challenge.
“But they have great coaches. Scott Robertson and Felipe Contepomi are great coaches.
“So I think they want to win on Saturday. Those players are highly competitive and will take it personally.
“One wrong move and your reputation is on the line, so we are in for a big one.”
View this post on Instagram
The Boks have looked invincible in recent years and it comes as no surprise that they sit well clear at the top of the World Rugby Rankings.
The Boks will certainly want to continue their dominance when they open their season this Saturday.
The Springboks feature a total of 18 capped internationals, with the only two players in the starting line-up who have yet to make their Test debuts being Junior Bok captain Riley Norton (lock) and Carlu Sadie (prop), while the uncapped players among the replacements are JJ Kotze (hooker), Paul de Villiers (loose forward) and SA U20 flyhalf Vusi Moyo.
The backline has a strong international flavour to it, with Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe and Edwill van der Merwe forming the back three, while Andre Esterhuizen and Jesse Kriel will combine in a hard-running midfield partnership.
The big talking point has been Quan Horn, who will take over the No. 10 jersey alongside Grant Williams at halfback.
The last time these two teams met was last year in June, when the Springboks recorded a 54-7 win at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town.
But this time around, with former New Zealand boss Scott Robertson at the helm, the Barbarians have assembled a squad filled with international superstars.
Former All Black scrumhalf TJ Perenara will captain the side, while Scotland and British & Irish Lions wing Duhan van der Merwe reunites with former schoolmate Warrick Gelant in the line-up.
Van der Merwe was born and raised in South Africa before moving to France in 2016 and then to Scotland a year later.
His potential was clear from his schoolboy days in George, earning representative honours throughout the grades and an academy contract with the Blue Bulls, but it was in Scotland that his career truly accelerated.
He qualified for Scotland on residency in 2020 and has not looked back, earning 53 Test caps and a place on two consecutive British & Irish Lions tours.
The 31-year-old dreamt of playing for the Boks; however, it has become a familiar challenge to face them.
Although it is a big motivation, the chance to enjoy the famous Barbarian spirit has also been a reinvigorating experience.
“Being able to come out to South Africa, be in a Barbarian squad and get to know players over a beer or two reminds you of the days when you started playing rugby and there wasn’t any added pressure,” Van der Merwe said.
“So far, it’s been unbelievable and I’m very grateful to have the opportunity. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and at times I thought I wouldn’t get the opportunity, with games often taking place a week before internationals.
“I guess the first time I faced the Boks it was a little bit strange. People have their opinions, whatever they might be, and they are entitled to them, but it doesn’t bother me.
“It was just a very proud moment for me and my family to do something which I never thought I would be able to do. The British & Irish Lions is the pinnacle of any rugby player’s career, so to do that against South Africa was very special.
“I’ve been away for nine or 10 years now, so whether I’m representing Scotland or the Lions, it’s a special moment and something I chose. It’s going to be pretty cool to play against them with the Barbarians on Saturday.
“I don’t feel like I have a point to prove or anything. It’s been nine or 10 years, and I’m just grateful for the opportunities I’ve had.
“The motivation is more that they have been world champions for a long time and you want to test yourself against the best. You know whenever you play South Africa, it’s going to be pretty tough.”
One added incentive for Van der Merwe has been the opportunity to reconnect and play alongside Warrick Gelant.
The duo attended Hoërskool Outeniqua in George and also joined the Bulls academy set-up together, although they never shared a pitch in blue.
Re-establishing that once-prolific combination with the Stormers fullback has been an exciting prospect for the Scotland star.
He added: “It’s brilliant. I didn’t know Warrick was involved until I got here and saw him.
“In the meetings we’ve had, we’ve had to get up and speak about ourselves, and one of the things I mentioned was how special it is to reconnect with Warrick.
“He was my fullback at school back in 2013. We’ve got a really good relationship, so to be able to play together again is special.
“I know what he can do, I trust him and we still have that connection.
“We always had this thing where he would pop up and give me the ball and just shout in Afrikaans to basically score in the corner. I’ve told him I’m a little bit older now and I might not make it!”
*Article continues below…
Players to Watch
For South Africa: There is certainly no shortage of standout players in the Springbok squad, but all eyes will be on Quan Horn. The Lions star has built a reputation as one of the most exciting fullbacks in South African rugby, combining a relentless work rate with an eye for the tryline. This weekend, however, Horn will be handed a new challenge as he dons the No.10 jersey. His performance could provide valuable insight into his future versatility within the national set-up. Up front, there will also be keen interest in the performances of Carlu Sadie and Riley Norton. Sadie faces a stern examination in the front row alongside Andre-Hugo Venter and Ox Nche, while Junior Bok captain Norton gets a long-awaited opportunity to showcase his talents at senior level.
For the Barbarians: The Barbarians arrive in Gqeberha loaded with international quality, but few players possess the game-breaking ability of Duhan van der Merwe. The Scotland and British & Irish Lions wing is one of the most destructive runners in world rugby and will relish the chance to test himself against the reigning world champions in the country of his birth. Alongside him, former All Black captain TJ Perenara brings a wealth of experience and leadership. The veteran scrumhalf has faced the Springboks on numerous occasions and remains capable of turning a match with a moment of brilliance. In the forwards, Argentina Guido Petti will be tasked with disrupting South Africa’s rhythm at the breakdown and might be used at the line-out as well.
Predictions:
Rugby365: The Barbarians are capable of producing moments of brilliance, but South Africa’s power, structure and depth should prove too much over 80 minutes. Springboks by 15.
Teams:
South Africa: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Quan Horn, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Riley Norton, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Andre-Hugo Venter, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Ben-Jason Dixon, 20 Paul de Villiers, 21 Evan Roos, 22 Faf de Klerk, 23 Vusi Moyo.
Barbarian F.C: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Virimi Vakatawa, 12 Alex Nankivell, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Tomás Albornoz, 9 TJ Perenara (captain), 8 Miracle Fai’ilagi, 7 Lachlan Boshier, 6 Guido Petti, 5 Alex Moon, 4 Franco Molina, 3 D’Arcy Rae, 2 Elliot Dee, 1 Mayko Vivas
Replacements: 16 Leonel Oviedo, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Pedro Delgado, 19 Izack Rodda, 20 Liam McConnell, 21 Santiago Arata, 22 Harry Plummer, 23 Tuidraki Samusamuvodre
Date: Saturday, June 20
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Morné Ferreira (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Griffin Colby (South Africa), Hanru van Rooyen (South Africa)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
