Boks and BaaBaas set to dazzle with feast of running rugby

If the Barbarians live up to their famous creed of prioritising flair over dull defensive tactics, a dazzling feast of running rugby will be served up when they face the Springboks in Gqeberha on June 20.

Fans are eagerly awaiting the announcement of the composite BaaBaas squad, which is expected to feature many of the world’s best players at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

Players wearing the iconic black and white hooped Barbarians jersey have scored some of the most exciting tries in rugby’s history.

Legendary scrumhalf Gareth Edwards scored what many regard as rugby’s greatest try for the Barbarians against the All Blacks at Cardiff Arms Park in 1973.

It is referred to simply as “that try” and is etched in memories of fans because of its sheer brilliance.

There could not be a better place than rugby-mad Gqeberha to stage the Springboks’ opening match of the season against the Barbarians on June 20, SA coach Rassie Erasmus says. Despatch-born Erasmus says he is itching for the season to start and is expecting a capacity 46,000 crowd to watch the opener at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. Rugby fever is rising in Gqeberha with just 60 days until the Springboks come flying out of the starting blocks against former All Blacks’ coach Scott Robertson’s composite Barbarians team. An SA “A” team will take on the Zimbabwe Sables in a curtain-raiser to the Barbarians clash. Erasmus will use the “A” match as an opportunity to build squad depth and the encounter will provide Zimbabwe with a chance to test themselves against some of South Africa’s up-and-coming talent. Interest is also building ahead of the Sanzaar U20 Rugby Championship, kicking off at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Monday with the Junior Boks facing Argentina (kickoff 4.10pm). I can’t wait for the season to start and what better place than Gqeberha, where we’ve always enjoyed enormous support “I can’t wait for the season to start and what better place than Gqeberha, where we’ve always enjoyed enormous support,” Erasmus said. “We’ve been told that the average attendance at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is over 95% of stadium capacity and we hope to see the stands packed out again this year when we welcome the BaaBaas to the game. “They are coming to South Africa with an experienced and esteemed coaching team, and we know they will provide us with a proper challenge. “At the same time, we’re very excited to see the rest of our wider squad in action in a proper match when the SA ‘A’ team take on the Sables from Zimbabwe. “They have qualified for the 2027 Rugby World Cup and I’m sure it will be a great match.” The Springboks have never lost in the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, winning eight of their nine Tests at the venue, while one clash ended in a draw. Last year, a crowd of 44,282 packed the stands to see a clinical Springbok performance when they beat Italy 45-0. Barbarians president John Spencer said: “Barbarian FC prides itself on its values and ethos and it is important our partners embody the same. We are delighted to be working and partnering with YesPlay when we take on the Springboks this June. “YesPlay are a proud South African company and, in addition to the title sponsorship of the match, we are proud to have them on the front of our jersey for this exciting international clash.” Fixtures involving the Barbarians are rare and highly anticipated worldwide, bringing together some of the most exciting names in global rugby for a once-off showcase. Their matches are known for capturing the imagination of fans across generations, combining elite skill with an unstructured, expressive style of play that is seldom seen in the modern game. What makes the Barbarians particularly compelling is the way their squad is assembled. Players are invited from across the rugby world based on form, reputation, and flair, often representing a mix of countries, cultures, and playing styles. Selection is typically finalised close to matchday, adding an extra layer of intrigue and anticipation as fans eagerly await the final line-up and the magic it might produce on the field. After the BaaBaas clash, the Boks will host England, Scotland, and Wales in three Tests in the new Nations Championship in July, before they welcome the All Blacks for three Tests in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, a new series that will play out every four years. Tickets for the clash against the Barbarians — starting from R250 a person — can be obtained exclusively on springboks.tmtickets.co.za - Additional reporting SA Rugby Follow The Herald WhatsApp channel today and stay connected to the stories shaping our world. The Herald

The move started with a deep kick from a New Zealand player, and the ball dropped towards Phil Bennett near to his goal line.

Livewire Bennett sidestepped and evaded three tackles, in turn passing the ball to JPR Williams.

The ball then passed through the hands of John Pullin, John Dawes, Tommy David and Derek Quinnell before Edwards, slipping between two teammates and seemingly intercepting the last pass, finished with a diving try in the lefthand corner.

Fixtures involving the Barbarians are rare and highly anticipated worldwide, and they bring together some of the most exciting names in global rugby for a once-off match.

Their games are known for capturing the imagination of fans across generations, combining skill with an unstructured, expressive style of play that is seldom seen in the modern game.

What makes the Barbarians particularly compelling is the manner in which their squad is assembled.

Players are invited from across the rugby world based on form, reputation and flair, often representing a mix of countries, cultures and playing styles.

Selection is typically finalised close to matchday, adding an extra layer of intrigue and anticipation as fans eagerly await the final line-up and the magic it might produce on the field.

Rugby fever is rising in Gqeberha, with the Springboks expected to come flying out of the starting blocks against former All Blacks’ coach Scott Robertson’s Barbarians team.

An SA A team will take on the Zimbabwe Sables in a curtain-raiser to the Barbarians clash.

Gqeberha rugby fans will be treated to a star-studded double-header bonanza when an SA “A” team takes on the Zimbabwe Sables in a curtain-raiser to the Springboks’ opening match of the season against the Barbarians on June 20. Supporters will be able to enjoy a double helping of international rugby and a capacity crowd of 46,000 is expected at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. Bok coach Rassie Erasmus will use the “A” match as an opportunity to build squad depth and the encounter will provide Zimbabwe with a chance to test themselves against some of South Africa’s up-and-coming talent. “The match between the SA ‘A’ team and Zimbabwe will serve as a fantastic opportunity for both teams to achieve some of their objectives with the Rugby World Cup in mind,” Erasmus said. “From a South African perspective, we have seen the benefits of having an ‘A’ team playing against quality opposition. “Players such as Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ruan Nortje, Grant Williams, Aphelele Fassi and Elrigh Louw, among others, all played for the team in the early stages of their international careers. “Now they are important members of our squad, so this match will offer us another chance to give guys in our squad and others who have really put up their hands to prove what they can do against international opposition. “It’s always great to return to the Eastern Cape, where the Boks enjoy immense support, and to have back-to-back matches play out at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium will make the occasion of playing our first match of the year even more special.” The Springboks will host their second alignment camp in May and Erasmus is set to name his squad for their official training camp in June a few weeks later. The SA “A” game is scheduled to kick off at noon and the match between the Springboks and the Barbarians at 3pm. Follow The Herald WhatsApp channel today and stay connected to the stories shaping our world. The Herald

The Barbarians were formed in 1890, when William Percy Carpmael, a player for both Blackheath and Cambridge University, realised his dream of spreading good fellowship among all rugby players and harnessing the game’s virtues of flair, courage, spirit and passion.

In 1952 the Barbarians played their inaugural fixture against the Springboks at Cardiff Arms Park in Wales, which South Africa went on to win 17-3. Nine years later, the Barbarians claimed their first victory against the Boks, winning 6-0 at the same venue.

The next two meetings followed a similar pattern, with the Boks winning 21-12 at Twickenham in 1970, before the Barbarians pulled one back in 1994, winning 23-15 at Lansdowne Road in Dublin.

In 2000, the Boks rounded off a largely successful tour of Argentina and Europe with a 41-31 victory over the Barbarians at the Millennium Stadium.

Although nobody knew it at the time, that result in Cardiff would mark the Boks’ last win against the black and white hoops for a quarter of a century.

After winning the 2007 World Cup in France, a much-changed Bok side lost 22-5 to the Barbarians at Twickenham.

The next contest in 2010 was closer, although the Barbarians still managed to win 26-20 in London.

The next clash was staged at Wembley Stadium in London, with Allister Coetzee in charge of the Boks and former Crusaders and Australia coach Robbie Deans at the helm of the Barbarians.

The Barbarians led 17-12 at halftime before SA hit back in the second half with three tries. Rohan Janse van Rensburg’s touchdown in the 77th minute ensured that the Boks came away from Wembley with a 31-31 draw.

In 2025 the Boks began their season with a dominant 54-7 win over the Barbarians in Cape Town.

Bok coach Rassie Erasmus says there could not be a better place than rugby-mad Gqeberha to stage the Springboks’ opening match of the season.

Erasmus says he is itching for the season to start and is expecting a capacity 46,000 crowd to watch the opener at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. - Additional reporting SA Rugby

Win tickets

The Herald, in partnership with SA Rugby, is giving away 20 double tickets to see the Springboks face off against the Barbarians in the YesPlay Cup at Gqeberha’s Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on June 20 2026.

Two lucky readers also stand a chance to win branded rugby merchandise.

For entry details, keep an eye on The Herald’s Facebook account.

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