Barbarians could be more dangerous than people think
AUDIO: Springbok assistant coach Deon Davids has cautioned against viewing the Barbarians as merely an exhibition side, pointing to the wealth of international experience and coaching pedigree assembled for Saturday’s season-opening clash in Gqeberha.
While South Africa comfortably defeated the famous invitational outfit 54-7 in Cape Town last year, Davids believes this year’s Barbarians squad possesses enough quality and attacking firepower to punish any complacency from the world champions.
The invitational side boasts a host of international stars, including Stormer Warrick Gelant, former Junior Springbok and Scotland wing Duhan van der Merwe, former All Blacks vice-captain TJ Perenara, Wallabies speedster Andrew Kellaway, Argentine flyhalf Tomás Albornoz and Uruguay scrumhalf Santiago Arata.
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Equally impressive is the coaching team guiding the Barbarians. The side will be led by All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson alongside Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi, Racing 92 boss Patrice Collazo and Los Pumas assistant Kenny Lynn.
Davids believes that combination of elite coaches and experienced internationals make the Barbarians a dangerous opponent despite their limited preparation time.
“With the Barbarians, you have to understand their background and the way their squad is put together,” Davids said.
“You cannot underestimate them because they are a bunch of experienced players, many of them with X-factor, so you don’t want them to get on a roll.”
The Springbok forwards coach said the Barbarians’ reputation for entertaining rugby is no accident.
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“The Barbarians have a unique dynamic that goes back decades. They like to entertain, and that’s encouraged by clever coaches who select players capable of doing exactly that,” he explained.
“Because they don’t have much time together as a group, they stick to a style that has worked for them for years. They want to move the ball, create opportunities and play with a combination of structure and attacking adventure.”
Davids stressed that South Africa’s challenge will be to maintain discipline and control while implementing the systems worked on during the Springboks’ training camp in Johannesburg.
“It is important that we have balance and control in our game. We must transfer what we have been training into the match situation so we can see what works and what needs improvement.”
The Barbarians fixture will mark the second time the Boks have opened their international season against the famous black-and-white-clad side in South Africa.
The visitors have faced the Springboks nine times since their first meeting in 1952 and arrive with a squad packed with proven international performers and one of the most accomplished coaching groups assembled in world rugby.
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