Barbarians invade SA for the first time to take on Springboks

A Barbarian horde – at least the rugby variety – will invade South Africa for the first time when the Springboks launch their 2025 season against the renowned invitational outfit at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday, June 28.

The Barbarians – consisting of players from the United Rugby Championship, French Top 14, English Premiership, Super Rugby and the Japanese League – will be coached by the experienced Robbie Deans, a former All Black who was also in charge of the Wallabies and the Crusaders.

The BaaBaas are known for their fast-paced, attacking and open style of play, focusing on entertainment and fun rather than winning.

Their matches are also celebrated for their camaraderie and relaxed atmosphere.

South African rugby fans are in for a special treat.

The match is being organised and promoted by Pitch International, the London-based sports marketing agency.

Historically such matches have been hosted overseas – usually in London – but Pitch agreed to bring the game to South Africa in preparation for the Incoming Series opener against Italy in Pretoria a week later.

The match in Cape Town in June will be the ninth between the Boks and the famous black-and-white-clad club, and the first since November 5, 2016, when the teams played to a 31-31 draw at Wembley Stadium in London.

“This is an historic moment and it will be very special to welcome the Barbarians to South Africa for the first time,” said SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer.

Since the first clash between the sides in 1952, the Barbarians have won four games and the Springboks three, to add to the draw nine years ago.

The Boks’ last victory over the Barbarians was on December 10, 2000 in Cardiff, by 41-31.

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus said the match would be the perfect trigger to get his players into match-mode before the Incoming Series, which features two Tests against Italy (July 5 and 12) and one against Georgia (July 19).

“It’s always exciting to face the BaaBaas, and this match will be particularly special as it marks the first time that we will face them in South Africa,” said Erasmus.

“For us this will be the perfect opportunity to get the players match-ready for the official international season, which starts a week later.

“With a big squad one can simulate a match situation, but there is nothing like a proper international with the full build-up and the pressure to get the players battle ready, so this is a great occasion for us.

“With the Barbarians team featuring players from across the world, they are tough to analyse, so the key for us will be to focus on our structures and what we want to achieve on the field.”

Deans, who will be assisted by Patrice Collazo (Racing 92, France), Atsushi Kanazawa (Saitama Wild Knights, Japan) and former All Black lock Sam Whitelock, said: “It is exciting news to have the iconic Barbarians announced to play against the world champion Springboks in Cape Town in late June – these are two of the biggest brands in the game.

“The last occasion these two teams met at Wembley resulted in a draw.

“The Springboks have achieved a lot since that day, this will be an altogether different challenge on-site in South Africa.

“We are hopeful of putting together a combination that will provide the sort of spectacle that the occasion deserves.”

Tickets for the match – priced from R250 – will go on sale from Tuesday next week via Ticketmaster.

The Incoming Series will be followed by the Rugby Championship against Australia (August 16 and 23  in Johannesburg and Cape Town), the All Blacks (September 6 and 13 in New Zealand), and Argentina (September 27 and 4 October in Durban and London respectively), before the Boks depart on their traditional end-of-year tour.

2025 Springbok Home Fixtures

28 June: Barbarians v SA: Cape Town Stadium

Incoming Series:

July 5 : SA v Italy: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

July 12: SA v Italy: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha

July 19: SA v Georgia: Mbombela Stadium

Rugby Championship:

August 16: SA v Australia: Ellis Park, Johannesburg

August 23: SA v Australia: Cape Town Stadium

September 27 : SA v Argentina: Kings Park, Durban