The Springbok coaches and players have been speaking from the same mouthpiece the entire week and haven’t deviated from their plan to play at Test-match intensity against the Barbarians in Cape Town.
While the invitational side will look to open the game with their flair and instinct that is true to the club, despite the predicted wet weather conditions, the world champions want to use this 2025 opening clash at the DHL Stadium (5.10pm kick-off) as a match to lay a benchmark for the rest of the season.
Head coach Rassie Erasmus stressed it on Tuesday with his team announcement. Before him, attack coach Tony Brown spoke about handling the clash as a Test on Monday.
On Friday, stand-in captain Jesse Kriel emphasised it in short as well: “We will treat it like a test.”
The Boks are aware that the Cape winter might spoil their chances of delivering a spectacle in the festival match. However, the focus will first be on getting their season off to a proper start as they prepare for a watershed Test season ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Kriel replaced regular captain Siya Kolisi as the leader with the latter pulling out with a stiff neck. The outside centre said they’ve arguably had one of their toughest two-week camps in his time with the Boks and he’s ready to see them translate that training onto the playing field, starting against the Baabaas.
Jesse Kriel on the #Springboks captaincy: “I’m very happy about accepting this responsibility, although I was a little nervous at one stage” 🫡#ForeverGreenForeverGold
— Springboks (@Springboks) June 27, 2025
“We’ve worked hard on how we want to play and what we want to achieve as a Springbok team. This game is the first opportunity to test it,” Kriel said on Friday.
“It is a crucial first game. You wait six months at your club, and you want to perform well there to be involved here. This is what you want to be involved with, these kind of games and test matches. The guys are excited about it and are embracing the opportunity.
“We are approaching this game as a Test. It is the start of a massive season for the Springboks and looking at what we want to do, this is a crucial game to set the tone.”
Kriel says he is extremely honoured and excited to lead the Boks for the first time. However, not a lot will change for him and how he plays his game. He will rely on other leaders, such as Damian de Allende and Cheslin Kolbe in the backs, and hooker Malcolm Marx and Lood de Jager in the forwards.
He says he has been very fortunate to learn from and be surrounded by strong leaders like Siya Kolisi and Handré Pollard.
According to him, not much will change on Saturday, even if he is captain.
Your #Springboks team to face the @Barbarian_FC in Cape Town tomorrow, and what a special team photo for Jesse, Vincent, Marnus, Asenathi and Neethling 🤩#ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/2Rvoo8z90Q
— Springboks (@Springboks) June 27, 2025
“I am not the biggest talker but with the defence, I have been quite vocal. That is my pressure point in the team. We are so fortunate with leaders, and it makes it easier for everyone to go out there and fulfil their role.
“Siya got a bump to his neck on Tuesday, and I was vice-captain for the weekend. I was told on Wednesday that I would be captain, and I was happy to take the role. It is a big honour, and I was a bit nervous but very excited about it. I am very keen to get out there and lead the team.”
