South Africa kicked off their 2025 in style as they thrashed the Barbarians 54-7 in the first international of the year in Cape Town.
Rassie Erasmus named a strong Springboks side, sprinkling in a few new faces among a spine of the team containing plenty of double World Cup-winners, and they ran in eight tries across the 80 minutes – turning a 19-0 half-time lead into a comfortable triumph.
Vincent Tshituka, on his first appearance in the famous green and gold jersey, went over twice from close range, while Malcolm Marx, Cheslin Kolbe, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Lood de Jager and Damian de Allende also scored as the Boks continued to build on their recent success.
The arrival of the Baa-Baas always brings a festival feel to proceedings and Irish icons Peter O’Mahony and Cian Healy both made their final bows after announcing retirements, while former All Blacks captain Sam Cane did similarly and Melvyn Jaminet’s score at least ensured they wouldn’t leave completely empty-handed.
Relive all the action from DHL Stadium with our live blog below:
Springboks vs Barbarians live
- South Africa thrash Barbarians 54-7 in Cape Town to kick off their international year in style
- 80' - TRY! De Allende finishes it with final try (SA 54-7 BAR)
- 70' - TRY! Tshituka powers over for his second try (SA 47-7 BAR)
- 65' - TRY! Jaminet finally scores a try for the Baa-Baas after Arendse's missed tackle (SA 40-7 BAR)
- 61' - TRY! De Jager bashes his way in for the try after Kolbe's air brilliance (SA 40-0 BAR)
- 59' - TRY! Arendse collects De Allende's well-weighted kick (SA 33-0 BAR)
- 47' - TRY! Wessels powers over from close range (SA 26-0 BAR)
- 24' - TRY! Tshituka goes over from close range for a try on his first Boks appearance (SA 19-0 BAR)
- 11' - TRY! Kolbe dots down from Fassi's precise grubber (SA 12-0 BAR)
- 6' - TRY! Marx touches down at the back of a rolling maul (SA 5-0 BAR)
FT: South Africa 54-7 Barbarians
18:17 , Luke BakerThe Boks move on to bigger challenges but did what they needed to in Cape Town
FT: South Africa 54-7 Barbarians
18:09 , Luke BakerJob done for the Springboks and on they march into the meat of 2025
The conditions were tricky, but both teams tried hard to entertain, and they didn't disappoint - more here: https://t.co/3lWm37gC3V 🙌#Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold #BARvRSA pic.twitter.com/O7xUcKzzqQ
— Springboks (@Springboks) June 28, 2025
FULL-TIME! South Africa 54-7 Barbarians
18:04 , Luke BakerIt’s all over! An easy win for the Springboks in the end - bigger challenges to come but a decent runout in their first international match of the year.
It’s a first win for them over the Baa-Baas since 2000 though, so good to end that quarter-century long drought.
Lots of good things but also some work-ons as they build to the Rugby Championship.
The Baa-Baas had some fun but were stifled by a well-drilled Boks defence and set-piece
TRY! South Africa 54-7 Barbarians (Damian de Allende, 80 mins)
18:03 , Luke BakerA final try for the Boks. They turn the ball over, work it patiently and then go to the left.
Through the hands, makes it to Damian de Allende and he sprints in down the left flank. Good conversion from out wide by Libbok
South Africa 47-7 Barbarians, 80 mins
17:59 , Luke BakerLineout in the 22 for South Africa as they looks to finish with a flourish and clear 50 points.
The Boks maul stalls so they’re forced to play it. Keeping it tight with the forwards sniping. And a turnover! Boshier in over the ball for the Baa-Baas and they stop their hosts.
One last chance to run it from their own half
South Africa 47-7 Barbarians, 78 mins
17:56 , Luke BakerSpringboks win a turnover on halfway. Time for one more try for the hosts to delight the crowd?
South Africa 47-7 Barbarians, 75 mins
17:55 , Luke BakerConditions have worsened here and the rain is coming down hard. The ball is slick, handling is tough so this game is getting scrappy.
South Africa 47-7 Barbarians, 72 mins
17:50 , Luke BakerThings have broken down now. A lot of counter-attacking and loose ball.
Springboks pick up another one, Kolbe races forward and pops out to Libbok but Jaminet brilliantly covers to tackle him into touch.
TRY! South Africa 47-7 Barbarians (Vincent Tshituka, 70 mins)
17:48 , Luke BakerKolbe with the power on the carry! Sits down Ricky Riccitelli with a brutal hand-off. Springboks now just a metre out.
And Vincent Tshituka has a second try. Powers over from close range. Easy conversion for Libbok.
South Africa 40-7 Barbarians, 68 mins
17:47 , Luke BakerOh Cheslin Kolbe - stop it! Arata tries to go massive from a penalty with his kick to touch but it’s well kept in deep in their own 22 by Libbok and Kolbe for the Boks.
Kolbe then goes on a darting run, slipping past one, two, three defenders down the right flank. The quickest of feet. He then kicks down the line and is taken out late, with the penalty taking the Boks into the 22 for a lineout
TRY! South Africa 40-7 Barbarians (Melvyn Jaminet, 65 mins)
17:44 , Luke BakerAnd the Baa-Baas have their try! Good on them.
They go wide to the right, a stunning no-look pass from Fainga’anuku to Melvyn Jaminet, he dummies a pass shrugs off a poor tackle from Arendse and barrels over the line.
The French full back then adds the tricky touchline conversion for good measure!
South Africa 40-0 Barbarians, 63 mins
17:41 , Luke BakerA lovely moment. Peter O’Mahony, Barbarians captain for the day is subbed off and gets a huge ovation.
That’s the last act of a storied rugby career for Munster, Ireland and the British and Irish Lions as he trots off in his final game of professional rugby. Raises an arm in salute to the crowd. Legend.
TRY! South Africa 40-0 Barbarians (Lood de Jager 61 mins)
17:39 , Luke BakerThe tries are flowing now. Kolbe shows why he’s king of the sky as he outleaps Jaminet to pluck a ball from the air and races forward into the 22.
Offload to Reinach who looks like he might score but Ribbans comes out of nowhere to crunch him with a great tackle. That only delays the inevitable and a couple of phases later, big Lood de Jager crashes over the line. You’re not stopping him from there!
Libbok’s conversion and the Boks are rampant now
TRY! South Africa 33-0 Barbarians (Kurt-Lee Arendse, 59 mins)
17:36 , Luke BakerAnd the Springboks slice through for a fifth try of the day!
De Allende ghosts forward and through a gap that opens up. Complete miscommunication from the Baa-Baas as there’s no one in the backfield, De Allende kicks into the gaping space and Kurt-Lee Arendse sprints on to collect the bouncing ball, turn on the jets and roar in for the try. Almost Barbarians-esque from the Boks.
Cracking conversion from Libbok as well
South Africa 26-0 Barbarians, 57 mins
17:33 , Luke BakerThat’s more like the Baa-Baas! Arata tries a dink over the defnece in his own 22 and a full-speed Jaminet catches it clean and makes another 20 metres. Lovely.
That attack soon fizzles out though and South Africa come again from their own half
South Africa 26-0 Barbarians, 56 mins
17:30 , Luke BakerFive-metre lineout for South Africa, De Jager claims and Ribbans is penalised for side-entry at the maul.
So another lineout... But this one is lost! The Baas-Baas finally contest and get the ball back on their side. The Boks pressure the ruck and knock on but it’ll still be a scrum on their own five-metre line for the visitors.
SIN-BIN! South Africa 26-0 Barbarians, 54 mins
17:28 , Luke BakerNope, the Barbarians win a turnover. Arendse runs a crash ball off the scrum, he’s held up and the ball is pilfered by the invitational side.
Ah, we’re going to the TMO for that hit on Arendse though... It was Lachlan Boshier and it’s clear head to head contact, so that’s a yellow card - 10 minutes in the sin-bin for the Kiwi.
South Africa 26-0 Barbarians, 53 mins
17:26 , Luke BakerThe Boks bomb squad front row gets the better of their opponents’ replacements and when they win another penalty it’s back to the scrum again. A try is inevitable here, you feel
South Africa 26-0 Barbarians, 51 mins
17:25 , Luke BakerA whole new front row for the Baa-Baas of Ricky Riccitelli, Hassane Kolingar and Will Collier while Sam Cane also exits to end his rugby career. What a career from the All Blacks legend
South Africa 26-0 Barbarians, 50 mins
17:23 , Luke BakerStunning break by Springboks skipper Kriel and finds Reinach in support but Jaminet hauls him down short of the line.
They soon win a penalty and it’s a five-metre scrum
TRY! South Africa 26-0 Barbarians (Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 47 mins)
17:21 , Luke BakerAnd the bomb squad immediately get the party started!
The ball goes wide left and Fassi makes good ground, pops to Arendse who slides through a gap then offloads to Reinach who gets within a metre of the line. Replacement prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels then powers over from close range on the pick and go.
Manie Libbok adds the extras
South Africa 19-0 Barbarians, 46 mins
17:19 , Luke BakerDe Jager leaps and wins the lineout again, although that’s better maul defence from the Baa-Baas and they win the penalty! That’s big - well played to the Barbarians pack.
And then the Springboks bring on their entire bench! BOMB SQUAD TIME!
Smith was already on for the Du Preez HIA but get ready because all of Marnus van der Merwe, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Neethling Fouche, Franco Mostert, Cobus Reinach, Manie Libbok and Andre Esterhuizen enter the fray
South Africa 19-0 Barbarians, 44 mins
17:16 , Luke BakerLineout is clean again, the maul starts rumbling and penalty advantage for South Africa. Healy enters at the side, the ref blows up and it’s back to the corner...
South Africa 19-0 Barbarians, 43 mins
17:15 , Luke BakerBit of Baa-Baas possession to start the second half and Jacomb gets up from the floor to slide through a gap and make 30 metres.
But he’s not supported, the Boks turn it over and then their kick chase isolates Ribbans, winning a penalty that allows them to earn another five-metre lineout...
KICK-OFF! South Africa 19-0 Barbarians
17:12 , Luke BakerBack underway for the second half. Can the Springboks tidy up the rough edges and how many points can they score?
And will the Barbarians get on the board?
WATCH: Stirring rendition of the South African national anthem
17:03 , Luke BakerIt was a typically intense rendition of the South Africa national anthem ahead of the game in Cape Town
An INCREDIBLE rendition of the South African national anthem ahead of their game vs Barbarians in Cape Town! 🇿🇦🏟️ pic.twitter.com/xH7k39loD2
— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) June 28, 2025
HALF-TIME! South Africa 19-0 Barbarians
16:57 , Luke BakerAnd that will be half-time. A mixed first half for the Springboks in their first match of 2025.
They’ve been sloppy in attack with a few handling errors but defensively they’ve been impeccable. A green wall. The scrum has been good as has the lineout (both in attack and defence, with De Jager pinching two on Baa-Baas ball) and the rolling maul.
They’re comfortably ahead of the invitational side at the break
We didn't get a picture of Tshituka's try, but here is one of him winning the lineout that led to the points 👌#Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold #BARvRSA pic.twitter.com/lSS2PVbUT4
— Springboks (@Springboks) June 28, 2025
South Africa 19-0 Barbarians, 39 mins
16:55 , Luke BakerAh, this is the first real bit of bad news for South Africa.
Jean-Luc du Preez goes down. Initially it looks like an injury but the replay shows he’s taken a knock to the head accidentally from his own man, Lood de Jager.
He’ll go off for an HIA and be examined, so Kwagga Smith is on at No 8.
South Africa 19-0 Barbarians, 38 mins
16:53 , Luke BakerThe Boks defensive line has been a green wall today, just repelling every Barbarians advance.
Jacomb resorting to kicks over the top and through to try and penetrate it but the back three and Feinberg-Mngomezulu are sweeping up in the backfield.
Turnover ball is probably the Baa-Baas’ best bet and they find space on the right but Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens’ dink over the top is well gathered for a mark.
South Africa 19-0 Barbarians, 35 mins
16:49 , Luke BakerLovely South Africa hands, down the line, slicing through but De Allende then fumbles.
Then Feinberg-Mngomezulu kicks the ball out on the full. The odd error slipping into the Boks game.
Luckily, the Baa-Baas are struggling even more as Chat throws away another lineout...
South Africa 19-0 Barbarians, 33 mins
16:47 , Luke BakerAnd it immediately comes to nothing as they mess up the lineout allowing South Africa to exit
South Africa 19-0 Barbarians, 32 mins
16:46 , Luke BakerBarbarians are going backwards in every collision - this is great intensity by South Africa in their first match of the year. Eventually the mistake comes as a pass bounces into touch.
They win a penalty though after O’Mahony turns the ball over and now they’ve got a lineout on the 22...
South Africa 19-0 Barbarians, 27 mins
16:43 , Luke BakerDe Jager pilfers a Baa-Baas lineout but Jaminet does really well to stay in play when he defends a long Feinberg-Mngomezulu kick.
Arendse then goes on another dart when the Boks recover the ball but his attempted offload doesn’t quite go to hand.
That gives the Barbarians a rare platform to build in attack but well defended and De Jager then steals a second straight lineout!
South Africa 19-0 Barbarians, 27 mins
16:40 , Luke BakerThe Barbarians need to start getting a grip on these high balls - another turnover in that area sets up Arendse to go on a weaving run. He’s so quick in tight spaces!
His attempted kick through when surrounded by defenders doesn’t quite come off on this occasion and it’s a scrum for the visitors but he’s electric to watch.
TRY! South Africa 19-0 Barbarians (Vincent Tshituka, 24 mins)
16:39 , Luke BakerAnd there’s try number three! Again from a five-metre lineout.
The maul collapses just short of the line, Van den Berg has a dart for the line and is stopped.
But Vincent Tshituka can’t be stopped! The flanker is over the ball at a ruck and takes the chance of picking up and diving for the line - getting over. His first appearance in a Springboks jersey and he’s got a try. Good on the Congolese-born Sharks star.
Easy conversion added and everything is coming up Bok so far.
South Africa 12-0 Barbarians
16:35 , Luke BakerA good opening quarter in the first international of 2025 for the Springboks
Things we never get tired of seeing 👏#Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold #BARvRSA pic.twitter.com/R0uSOyuovc
— Springboks (@Springboks) June 28, 2025
South Africa 12-0 Barbarians, 21 mins
16:34 , Luke BakerYoung Baa-Baas fly half Jacomb slides to collect a ball well on his own 22 and he’s closed down by Kolbe, who blocks the offload into touch. Baa-Baas win the lineout and clear their lines.
They haven’t had much possession to show their typically flamboyant attacking style yet
South Africa 12-0 Barbarians, 19 mins
16:32 , Luke BakerA mistimed hook from Chat in the scrum but the Baa-Baas are saved by a reset and then win a free-kick.
As is the tradition of the invitational side, they try to run it from deep but eventually Fainga’anuku eventually thumps clear. Discretion the better part of valour there
South Africa 12-0 Barbarians, 17 mins
16:31 , Luke BakerMaul is well defended so South Africa run it. De Jager knocked back in contact.
Gorgeous dummy from Feinberg-Mngomezulu, then a 360 spin past a helpless O’Mahony who completely bought the fake! Haha! Sublime.
Through a gap but he knocks on in contact when near the line, so the Barbarians get a scrum
South Africa 12-0 Barbarians, 16 mins
16:29 , Luke BakerMore penalties against the Barbarians as ex-All Blacks skipper Sam Cane is pinged for illegally sacking a maul. Kick to the corner, another big chance for the Boks
South Africa 12-0 Barbarians, 14 mins
16:27 , Luke BakerThat’s better from the Baa-Baas, they drive over the top at a breakdown after Fassi is tackled and win the turnover.
But the Boks defence holds their structure and soon forces a breakdown turnover of their own through Feinberg-Mngomezulu getting over the ball well. The fly half auditioning for a role as a back rower!
TRY! South Africa 12-0 Barbarians (Cheslin Kolbe, 11 mins)
16:24 , Luke BakerThe Barbarians scrum has steadied since the demolition first time around but they’re not close to getting the upper hand.
Boks run the phases, Kriel with a go-forward carry. Then out to the right and that’s a lovely try!
Fassi pokes a perfect grubber through the defensive line, Cheslin Kolbe is too quick for Jaminet on the turn and he collects the bouncing ball, dotting down for try number two. Superb.
And now Feinberg-Mngomezulu rectifies his radar and slots the tricky conversion from the right touchline.
South Africa 5-0 Barbarians, 8 mins
16:22 , Luke BakerMistake from young Baa-Baas fly half Jacomb as he drops a high ball just outside his own 22. Another base for South Africa to build from the scrum
TRY! South Africa 5-0 Barbarians (Malcolm Marx, 6 mins)
16:21 , Luke BakerAnd there’s the first try of the international season!
Rolling maul gets going from the lineout, churns towards the line, Malcolm Marx leads the splinter maul off the side and he flops over the line. Ruthlessly efficient.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s conversion attempt from the left touchline fades wide but a nice start from the hosts
South Africa 0-0 Barbarians, 5 mins
16:19 , Luke BakerDe Jager chases a kick and seizes the loose ball before driving his legs to make good yards.
Boks with front-foot ball just outside the 22, grubber through from Fassi is collected by a retreating Jaminet. He throws a pass to Jacomb in his own in-goal area. Knocked on! But actually Jaminet stepped out of play so a five-metre lineout for South Africa
South Africa 0-0 Barbarians, 4 mins
16:17 , Luke BakerFirst spell of ball in hand for South Africa, Arendse has a little dart but turned over at the breakdown. Great work by Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.
However, the Baa-Baas mess up the lineout and it’s another Boks scrum - a second chance for the pack to dominate. Barbarians hold firm but Du Preez picks and goes from No 8
South Africa v Barbarians, 2 mins
16:15 , Luke BakerThe Barbarians roar out of the blocks, contest the opening kick-off on the South African 22 and nearly claim the ball but it’s just knocked on.
First scrum of the day - the famed Springbok pack splinters the Baa-Baas with Ox Nche demolishing Paul Alo-Emile. Penalty and the Boks up to halfway.
KICK-OFF! South Africa v Barbarians
16:13 , Luke BakerAnd we’re underway in Cape Town. Josh Jacomb boots the ball into the sky for the Baa-Baas
The new international rugby season is underway for the Springboks. What will 2025 bring for the mighty Boks?
South Africa v Barbarians
16:08 , Luke BakerThe teams run out onto the pitch in Cape Town. We’re not far off the Barbarians getting their first ever match in South Africa underway.
Ireland legend Peter O’Mahony leads out the Barbarians in his final-ever professional rugby appearance.
Meanwhile, Jesse Kriel captains the Springboks for the very first time. A special day for the 31-year-old centre.
South Africa v Barbarians
16:05 , Luke BakerHere’s a reminder how the sides line up this afternoon
South Africa XV: 1 Ox Nche, 2 Malcolm Marx, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye; 4 Jean Kleyn, 5 Lood de Jager; 6 Marco van Staden, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 8 Jean-Luc du Preez; 9 Morne van den Berg, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu; 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 12 Damian de Allende, 13 Jesse Kriel (capt.), 14 Cheslin Kolbe; 15 Aphelele Fassi
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
Barbarians XV: 1 Cian Healy, 2 Camille Chat, 3 Paul Alo-Emile; 4 Ruben van Heerden, 5 David Ribbans; 6 Peter O’Mahony (capt.), 7 Sam Cane, 8 Shannon Frizell; 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 10 Josh Jacomb; 11 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, 12 Peter Umaga-Jensen, 13 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 14 Mark Telea; 15 Melvyn Jaminet
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
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu looks to avoid sophomore slump
15:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt was a year of two halves for Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu in 2024, the Test newbie making an eye-catching start to his international career to seemingly seize the No 10 shirt through the Rugby Championship but then picking up an untimely injury - and seemingly frustrating Rassie Erasmus by not revealing the full extent of the issue. He thus missed the entirety of the November tour, which was a shame, but is back in a Springboks shirt today. With Handre Pollard still to come into the squad and Manie Libbok on the bench, there are options aplenty for Erasmus, though Feinberg-Mngomezulu perhaps has the highest ceiling as the South Africa coach looks ahead to the next World Cup.
English exiles feature for Barbarians
15:40 , Harry Latham-CoyleIn a different world, or under different eligibility criteria, David Ribbans and Joe Marchant would be in Argentina right now with England - but while playing in the Top 14, the duo are unavailable to Steve Borthwick. The England boss has missed them, too, Marchant having really established himself during the 2023 World Cup before moving to Stade Francais and Ribbans providing the sort of tight five heft the side has occasionally lacked when George Martin has been absent over the last couple of years.
There are rumours that Marchant may be seeking a Premiership return sooner rather than later, though it is thought he still has a year to run on his deal in Paris. He’ll feature off the bench a little later.
Slimmed down Asenathi Ntlabakanye gets chance to impress
15:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleSouth Africa are hardly short of tightheads but there will be plenty pleased to see Asenathi Ntlabakanye get a go today. Even by prop standards, the Lions front-rower is giant - but he’s put in the work on Springboks scrum coach Daan Human’s farm to shed a few pounds and get into a little bit better shape. Ntalabakanye is more mobile than he might initially look, and you don’t particularly want to stray down his channel too often:
Asenathi Ntlabakanye moved mountains in the @Vodacom #URC 🏔️💥
— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) June 26, 2025
Now called up to the green and gold on Saturday on Saturday 🇿🇦
Drop a 💪 if you're backing the big man pic.twitter.com/9o9FiEpZ5C
Another tangle with the Springboks for Sam Cane
15:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleSam Cane has had his fair share of battles with South Africa, the former New Zealand captain sent off, of course, in the World Cup final in Paris 18 months or so ago. The stakes are rather lower here but he’ll perhaps be keen to right a few wrongs.
Cane and Peter O’Mahony have a bit of history, too, the Irishman once quipping dismissively about the All Blacks No 7’s ability mid-game with an unfavourable comparison to the past occupier of that jersey, Richie McCaw. I think they’ve kissed and made up as they prepare to take the flanks today.
Team news - Barbarians
15:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe retiring Peter O’Mahony skippers the Barbarians line-up, with fellow old Irish stager Cian Healy joining him in saying farewell. Ex-All Blacks captain Sam Cane joins O’Mahony in the back row and has plenty of Kiwis for company in a side full of New Zealanders young and old.
Mark Telea is an eye-catching inclusion after his omission from Scott Robertson’s latest squad while there is also a significant contingent taken from the Top 14, including lock David Ribbans and centre Joe Marchant, both part of England’s 2023 World Cup squad before moves to France left them ineligible. It’s a six/two bench for the BaaBaas.
Barbarians XV: 1 Cian Healy, 2 Camille Chat, 3 Paul Alo-Emile; 4 Ruben van Heerden, 5 David Ribbans; 6 Peter O’Mahony (capt.), 7 Sam Cane, 8 Shannon Frizell; 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 10 Josh Jacomb; 11 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, 12 Peter Umaga-Jensen, 13 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 14 Mark Telea; 15 Melvyn Jaminet.
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.
Team news - South Africa
15:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleRassie Erasmus has given chances to four uncapped players amidst plenty of experience in a strong South Africa side. Giant tighthead Asenathi Ntlabakanye and explosive flanker Vincent Tshituka both start as they pull on Springboks shirts for the first time, with front-rowers Marnus van der Merwe and Neethling Fouche also set to be used off the bench.
There are familiar faces elsewhere: Jesse Kriel captains the side after injury struck Siya Kolisi in the week, while Cheslin Kolbe, Damian de Allende and Malcolm Marx are among the other stars on show.
South Africa XV: 1 Ox Nche, 2 Malcolm Marx, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye; 4 Jean Kleyn, 5 Lood de Jager; 6 Marco van Staden, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 8 Jean-Luc du Preez; 9 Morne van den Berg, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu; 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 12 Damian de Allende, 13 Jesse Kriel (capt.), 14 Cheslin Kolbe; 15 Aphelele Fassi.
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.
The Barbarians are rugby’s biggest anachronism – don’t ever take them away
14:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe Barbarians are a slightly curious beast, a relic of a bygone age of amateurism perhaps out of place in the modern rugby world. But, as Luke Baker argues, that’s all part of their charm:
The Barbarians are rugby’s biggest anachronism – don’t ever take them away
South Africa vs Barbarians
14:35 , Harry Latham-CoyleOne of the breakout stars for the Springboks last year was full-back Aphelele Fassi, seizing his chance after an unexpected return to the South Africa squad. Here’s a little bit more about what makes him tick.
Breakthrough Springboks star Aphelele Fassi: ‘I’m just trying to be myself’
Felix Jones returns to South Africa as new role revealed after England resignation
14:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleSince then, South Africa have lured back a significant figure in Felix Jones, the England assistant having handed in his notice last summer after a short stint under Steve Borthwick and now back with the Boks.
Felix Jones returns to South Africa as new role revealed after England resignation
Siya Kolisi and Rassie Erasmus reveal the secrets behind the Springboks’ evolution
14:05 , Harry Latham-CoyleSouth Africa are back-to-back world champions for a reason, Rassie Erasmus seemingly always able to keep his side ahead of the game. Last year, I went to find out the secrets behind their next evolution as they set their sights on more success.
Siya Kolisi and Rassie Erasmus reveal the secrets behind the Springboks’ evolution
South Africa vs Barbarians live
Friday 27 June 2025 12:31 , Harry Latham-CoyleFor the first time in 2025, South Africa are in (sort-of) international action as the Springboks welcome the Barbarians to Cape Town. As ever with the invitational side in black and white hoops, this is a non-capped affair but there are still plenty in the home ranks hoping to prove themselves to Rassie Erasmus in a key rebuilding phase for the world champions.
Kick off is at 4.10pm BST.
