For all intents and purposes, any game against the Barbarians is a bit of a hit-and-giggle affair.
You get a bunch of rugby players from around the world together in one location for a week, and although they are some renowned figures, they won’t have much of a plan to execute on the Saturday.
But knowing coach Robbie Deans – multiple Super Rugby champion with the Crusaders and former Wallaby mentor – the Barbarians will have a New Zealand template to work with for Saturday’s clash against the Springboks at Cape Town Stadium (5.10pm kick-off).
That is why despite the expected slippery conditions and wet weather, the game is a valuable exercise for the Boks, especially with the double-crunch against the All Blacks awaiting in New Zealand in September.
That is probably part of the reason why coach Rassie Erasmus has opted for his current first-choice back-three combination of Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse for Saturday’s encounter.
For all intents and purposes, they are likely to make the cut for the September 6 showdown with the All Blacks in Eden Park in Auckland too.
So, dealing with a barrage of box-kicks from a former All Black scrumhalf in Tawera Kerr-Barlow is ideal preparation for the major challenges later in the season.
“It’s about how you adapt to the conditions, and the biggest challenge will always be the kicking game,” Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick said during the pre-match press conference on Friday.
“But I doubt that the Baabaas will lean to that side, and will try to keep the ball.
“But if they do lean towards the contestable kicking game, it is going to be the biggest challenge for our covers at the back.
“On the other side, we pride ourselves on our set-pieces, and how we defend. Hopefully we can get our systems in place, and the challenges from the Baabaas will probably be what we will face later on in the season.
“We are going to play against the All Blacks, who have a lot of X-factor. Against France, ball-in-play time is going to be key against them.
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
“The biggest thing is going to be the kicking game, with the defence.”
At the same time, it is also an ideal opportunity for Springbok halfbacks Morné van den Berg and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu to showcase their kicking skills.
Van den Berg was outstanding in that regard in his wet-weather Test debut last season, while Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s terrific soccer ability should stand him in good stead against the Barbarians.
“I don’t think it can get worse than what we experienced on Wednesday (during training),” Stick said.
“You don’t get that peaceful winter season – you get it all in one day, and we are well prepared for whatever happens on Saturday.
“We hope it will dry up so that we can put on a good show for the fans.
“They’ve got brilliant individuals in that team.
“They’ve got (Mark) Tele’a and (Hoskins) Sotutu, and Ruben (van Heerden) will be psyched up as he was close to making our team as well.
“We don’t know what to expect from these guys, but they will give us a tough challenge.
“You don’t want to coach ‘donkeys’ – who have blinkers on. The Baabaas (haven’t played together, but) will challenge our systems.”
Stick added that while captain Siya Kolisi had to withdraw on Friday due to a sore neck, the injury is not too serious – but it was not worth risking the openside flank ahead of next week’s first Test against Italy.
Outside centre Jesse Kriel will lead the Boks against the Barbarians.
