Springboks ready to clash with star-studded Barbarians in Cape Town

The much-anticipated showdown between the Springboks and the Barbarians is set to ignite the DHL Stadium in Cape Town this Saturday, as the home side begins their 2025 international season with a unique fixture for the Qatar Airways Cup.

In what marks the Barbarians’ first-ever match on South African soil, an exciting blend of international stars, seasoned veterans, and promising newcomers will go head-to-head in a clash that, while not carrying official Test status, is being treated with the intensity of one.

The Barbarians, coached by Robbie Deans, arrived in Cape Town earlier this week with a formidable 23-man squad, featuring no fewer than 18 players with Test experience. The squad includes familiar faces to South African fans, such as former Junior Springbok and current DHL Stormers lock Ruben van Heerden.

The team is led by experienced internationals like Ireland's centurions Cian Healy, Peter O’Mahony, and Conor Murray, as well as All Blacks stalwarts Sam Cane and Shannon Frizell.

Other notable names wearing the black and white include All Blacks Leicester Fainga’anuku, Hoskins Sotutu, Mark Tele’a, and Tawera Kerr-Barlow, alongside capped internationals from England, France, Uruguay, and Samoa, making it one of the most diverse and talent-rich Barbarians squads in recent memory.

Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus, meanwhile, has used the fixture to usher in a fresh chapter while maintaining a competitive edge. His 23-man matchday squad includes four uncapped players: prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye and flanker Vincent Tshituka in the starting XV, with hooker Marnus van der Merwe and prop Neethling Fouche named among the replacements.

Erasmus has opted for a strong core of experienced players around them, including the return of seasoned lock Lood de Jager, who partners Jean Kleyn in the engine room. De Jager’s inclusion marks his first match back since the Springboks’ 2023 Rugby Championship clash against New Zealand, having been sidelined with injury for most of the past two seasons.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to see what some of the newer players can do against a high-calibre Barbarians team,” Erasmus said. “We may not be awarding Test caps, but we’re approaching this match with full intent.

"The performance here will help lay the groundwork for the season ahead.”

The backline boasts firepower in the form of Aphelele Fassi, Kurt-Lee Arendse, and the electric Cheslin Kolbe, with the dependable Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel anchoring the midfield. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu gets the nod at flyhalf, paired with Morne van den Berg at scrumhalf.

Siya Kolisi captains the side from the flank, joined in the loose trio by Tshituka and Jean-Luc du Preez. The replacements bench offers a blend of youthful energy and seasoned class, with players like Franco Mostert, Kwagga Smith, and Cobus Reinach expected to make an impact.

Several players, including those from the Vodacom Bulls and overseas campaigns, joined the Springbok squad late due to commitments in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship and the Gallagher Premiership Finals. As a result, only Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been included from that group in this particular match, but Erasmus confirmed plans to rotate the squad as the season progresses.

“Our goal for this game is to get match fitness up for players returning from Japan and see how our new additions handle international-level opposition,” Erasmus explained. “This is an important step toward the Castle Lager Incoming Series, where we face Italy and Georgia.”

The Springboks' record against the Barbarians includes eight matches, with three wins, four losses, and one draw. Their most recent meeting was in 2016, and history shows how evenly matched these encounters have been, with only four points separating the sides over the total score of all games.

Saturday’s match will be broadcast live on SuperSport at 5.10pm. AJ Jacobs will officiate the match, assisted by Christopher Allison and Stephan Geldenhuys, with Egon Seconds as TMO and Ben Crouse handling the bunker review system.

With flair, experience, and plenty of ambition on both sides, fans can expect a thrilling encounter in Cape Town as two rugby traditions collide: the raw, structured power of the world champions and the fast-paced, entertaining style of the Barbarians.

Springbok Matchday Squad to Face the Barbarians:

Starting XV (15–1): Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Morne van den Berg, Jean-Luc du Preez, Vincent Tshituka (uncapped), Siya Kolisi (captain), Lood de Jager, Jean Kleyn, Asenathi Ntlabakanye (uncapped), Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche. Replacements: 16. Marnus van der Merwe (uncapped) 17. Jan-Hendrik Wessels 18. Neethling Fouche (uncapped) 19. Franco Mostert 20. Kwagga Smith 21. Cobus Reinach 22. Manie Libbok 23. Andre Esterhuizen

With the stage set and anticipation building, Saturday’s Qatar Airways Cup clash promises to deliver a showcase of world-class rugby and a glimpse into the future of South African rugby.