South Africa Faces Off Against Barbarians: A Look Ahead and Prognostication
The South Africa Springboks faced the Barbarians FC in a historic match at DHL Stadium in Cape Town on June 28, 2025. This was the first meeting between the two sides on South African soil, and the Springboks, being the reigning rugby world champions, dominated the match with a commanding 54-7 victory.
The match served as a trial run for the Springboks' defense of their Rugby Championship title, allowing them to test new combinations and strategies. With a strong performance in the 2024 season, including winning the Rugby Championship, they were clear favourites to win.
The Springboks' squad showcased their depth and variety, with key players like Cheslin Kolbe instrumental in several tries, including those by Vincent Tshituka and Lood de Jager. Damian de Allende scored in the closing minutes, while Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Kurt-Lee Arendse, and Manie Libbok all made significant impacts off the bench.
The Barbarians, an invitational team, featured players like Sam Cane and Peter O'Mahony in their final professional appearances. Melvyn Jaminet scored the Barbarians' only try.
The BaaBaas will brace themselves for the power and grunt of a fired-up Bok team playing on home soil in the upcoming 2025 match. The match is for the Qatar Airlines Cup, and the Boks focus will be on nailing their set pieces and defensive targets, avoiding getting sucked into a shootout.
The BaaBaas players are expected to be fueled by the honor of representing the club, the camaraderie built, and the lack of pressure. The 2025 campaign for the back-to-back world champions begins with a match against a famous invitational team on South African soil.
The history between the sides dates back to 1952, and the 2025 match marks the resumption of the rivalry between the back-to-back world champions and the BaaBaas, last played in 2016. Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus aims to use the match to blood new players, reintegrate some, and provide more international experience to others.
Robbie Deans has assembled a quality BaaBaas side, featuring three Test centurions: Peter O'Mahony, Conor Murray, and Sam Cane. The most recent outing between the two sides ended in a 31-all draw at Wembley in 2016. The 2025 match will introduce an eclectic crew of international stars to typical Bok physicality and intensity.
The Springboks have won four of the eight meetings between the teams, with the last time South Africa beating the BaaBaas being 20 years ago, with the score being 41-31 in Cardiff. The 2025 campaign will be the first time the back-to-back world champions play the BaaBaas on South African soil. The match will serve as a warm-up for the July internationals, where South Africa will play Italy and Georgia.
The South Africa Springboks prepared for their Rugby Championship title defense by using the match against the Barbarians as a trial run to test new combinations and strategies. In the upcoming 2025 campaign, the Springboks, with their depth and variety on display, aim to bring their characteristic power and grunt to home soil, especially in their Qatar Airlines Cup match against the Barbarians.
