Boks, Barbarians promise thrilling encounter in much-anticipated clash
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi and Barbarians counterpart Peter O'Mahony pose with the trophy at stake at the Cape Town Stadium tomorrow.
Image: SA Rugby
'IT WILL be an atmosphere that will be hard to forget. I am very excited for the clash.'
That's what debutant Bok flank Vincent Tshituka expects when more than 40,000 supporters pack the Cape Town Stadium for the Springboks' thrilling first match of 2025 against the Barbarians on Friday afternoon.
'Cape Town is very well known for its crowd, and I have no doubt they will be out in their full voice despite the weather,' he said about the support the world champions are expecting.
The match could be a muddy affair after rain lashed the Cape this past week, but knowing the invitational side, they will do everything in their power to play running rugby.
And the almost capacity crowd will want to see some action between the two sides.
It's the first time they meet on South African soil, but the Baabaas carry the advantage into this game.
They've won four of the eight clashes between them and the world champions, with three going to their hosts and one ending in a draw.
The Boks are not messing about, and selected a strong side to kick-start their season. They will be out to give a good reckoning of themselves in front of their rugby-mad Cape fans.
Robbie Deans, the Barbarians coach, said they will be looking to entertain the crowd, despite the predicted wet weather.
'This is the first occasion we play each other in Africa, and it's going to be a great fixture,' Deans said.
'Rassie (Erasmus, the Springbok coach) doesn't like losing at the best of times. But we will look to entertain, despite the weather. We want to show how much we value this privilege (playing against the world champions).'
Valid ticket-holders will be able to make use of the free MyCiTi shuttle provided by the City of Cape Town, but they will need to show their match-day ticket to the marshals.
Fans are encouraged to make use of the shuttle services to avoid congestion on the roads. Certain streets leading to and from the DHL Stadium will be closed for the match.
Cape Times
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
18 minutes ago
- The South African
How Orlando Pirates can beat Sundowns for the league
Orlando Pirates will once again battle Mamelodi Sundowns for the league. Image: @orlandopirates/X Orlando Pirates have finished as league runners-up to Mamelodi Sundowns four times in the past seven years. ADVERTISEMENT Last season, the Buccaneers led the Betway Premiership for the first seven rounds, but a few losses allowed Masandawana to take advantage. Despite a strong effort, the Sea Robbers lost crucial matches towards the end of the season, resulting in a 12-point deficit in the title race. As the new season approaches, many football fans expect Sundowns to claim their ninth straight league title. Their squad has appeared almost unbeatable, with only three losses and one draw last campaign. What can Orlando Pirates do to win the league? Consistency ADVERTISEMENT Pirates lost momentum in the second half of the season, which contributed to their failure to secure the title. Fans believe that if the Buccaneers had won all their matches in March and April, they could have pressured Sundowns into dropping points. Score Goals Both Evidence Makgopa and Tshegofatso Mabasa failed to score 10 goals last season. In contrast, Sundowns' duo of Iqraam Rayners and Lucas Ribeiro each netted over 10 goals during the league campaign. Find a Good Striker ADVERTISEMENT For Orlando Pirates to win the league, they need a striker who can score 15 or more goals. Mabasa needs to find his form and start scoring regularly, as does Makgopa. If the strikers can score consistently, it would relieve some pressure from the wingers and midfielders. Creativity The Buccaneers have already signed attacking players, but they lack creativity in the midfield. Once they resolve their creativity issues, they may increase their chances not only of winning the league but also of competing effectively in the CAF Champions League. Can the Buccaneers win the league this coming season? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 ADVERTISEMENT Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
an hour ago
- The Citizen
Fouche feels ‘dieplekker' about his Bok future
Having shrugged off his reputation as Frans Malherbe's 'stunt double', tighthead prop Neethling Fouche is excited to carve out his own story with the Springboks. Fouche made his Bok debut off the bench in the world champions' 54-7 demolition of the Barbarians at Cape Town Stadium last week, and it was everything the 32-year-old dreamt of. 'I know it's a cliche, but you dream of it literally from when you start playing bulletjie [junior] rugby,' he said. 'Yes, it was a Barbarians game, but it felt like a Test match. I know the score was high, but it was still very physical out there. 'Where the Springboks are at the moment, to be able to be part of this story with Coach Rassie [Erasmus] and the team, it's unbelievable.' 'There's a saying in Afrikaans: dieplekker. It's not lekker, it's dieplekker,' Fouche added. 'The whole week was actually just a blur, from the moment I found out I was playing, to the moment you're standing there. 'After that, it's difficult to control your emotions as you're singing the national anthem; literally all of my family was here for the game. As soon as they heard I'm playing, they just booked their tickets all the way from Rustenburg.' MORE: Rassie told Manie to kick miss And the occasion wasn't without its lighter moments for the humorous Fouche: 'Firstly, I just didn't want to fall running out on the field like my prop mate, Asa [Asenathi Ntlabakanye]! I don't know if anyone saw that, maybe go and check the highlights. So that was the first focus – not to fall.' A pivotal roleplayer in the Stormers' Vodacom URC title win in 2021-22, Fouche is a senior figure in their forward pack and a leader. His consistency for the Cape side earned him his first Bok alignment camp call-up last year, followed by a second invitation in March. However, Fouche's journey to the green and gold hasn't been easy, after injury setbacks and several seasons playing understudy to two-time world cup winner Malherbe at the Stormers. 'I've had a bit of a grondpad [rough road] to get here,' the Grey College alum said. 'The first five, six years out of school, it was a tough time. I was more injured than I wasn't. 'I think the first few years, I was only Frans Malherbe's stunt double! That's how most people knew me, and didn't know my name. 'But with time, you start to carve out your own story. Wilco [Louw] left for overseas and there was a gap, and I decided to put my hand up. Then there's a little voice in your head saying, 'it can happen to you too, just keep working at'. ALSO: Esterhuizen embraces 'hybrid' role 'So, it makes the lekker feeling I'm experiencing right now just mean so much more.' The Boks next face Italy on Saturday at Loftus, followed by a second Test against the Azzurri in Gqeberha next week, and a clash with Georgia in Mbombela on July 19. Fouche faces competition from fellow tightheads Louw, Ntlabakanye and Vincent Koch, but he's embracing the challenge under the tutelage of Bok scrum guru Daan Human. With Malherbe struggling with a back injury, Erasmus must explore alternatives, and Fouche is now in that conversation as the Bok chief plans for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. 'The last two-and-a-half weeks were tough, but it's also good to get through it, it gives you confidence. I'm also a bit older now, and feel like I have something to contribute to the team,' he said. 'I just keep my head down, as Coach Daan says. Every week Coach Daan gives you a challenge, which makes you better, and I'm looking forward to this week's challenge.' The post Fouche feels 'dieplekker' about his Bok future appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
Date confirmed for 2026 L'Ormarins King's Plate at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth
The date has been announced for the Grade 1 2026 L'Ormarins King's Plate to be run at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth racecourse in Cape Town. Next year's L'Ormarins King's Plate, which will be the 165th since the first race in 1861, will take place on Saturday, 10 January. It will be held over 1 600m. This year's race was won by One Stripe, trained by Vaughan Marshall and ridden by Gavin Lerena. Tickets for the day will be available in November 2025. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
