Boks kick off international season with clash against Barbarians in Cape Town
CAPE TOWN - The highly anticipated clash between the Springboks and the Barbarians has kicked of at the DHL Stadium in Green Point, Cape Town.
The match marks the start of the Springboks' five-month international season.
Saturday evening's game against the British-based invitational rugby union club, renowned for bringing together top players from various clubs and countries, serves as the curtain-raiser for the Boks' busy season.
The Boks' last victory over the Barbarians date back to December 2000 in Cardiff, where they secured a 41-31 win.
EWN spoke to Bok fans, all brimming with excitement to watch the thrilling encounter.
"My score prediction for this game will be Springboks 32, Barbarians, 14," said one fan.
"I'm sure the excitement is felt across the entire country, I'm just a little concerned with the wet weather that we're experiencing in Cape Town today, Go Springboks," said another.
"Glad rugby season is finally back, confident because you know we're playing on home turf, reigning world champions so I know the opposition is intimidated."
This Sprinboks-Barbarians clash is the first of two significant rugby fixtures to be hosted in Cape Town.
The Boks are also expected to do battle with Australia at DHL stadium on 23 August as part of their defence of the Rugby Championship.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Cape Town City may face life in NFD without talented youngsters
Cape Town City will now have to prepare for life in the Motsepe Foundation Championship after being officially ruled out of the promotion/relegation playoffs earlier this week, bringing a long and difficult season to a disappointing close. The Citizens, who ended the campaign 15th on the Premiership table, fell short when it mattered most and must now regroup for the challenges of second-tier football. The Cape side paid the price for their inconsistency throughout a campaign that only saw them get seven victories from 28 matches and their turn out in the playoffs also lacked the urgency the club has been known for in the last 10 years. Their 1-0 defeat to Orbit College handed the Rustenburg-based side a historic promotion to the top flight. The result took Orbit to an unassailable eight points in the mini-league, ending City's survival hopes with a game to spare. At the start of the season, few would have predicted this outcome for City, especially with the wealth of talent still within their squad. As the dust settles, attention now turns to three of their brightest young stars—players who could soon be on the radar of top-flight clubs. The 20-year-old forward enjoyed a landmark year, becoming one of the few South African players to lift the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations. His rise continued with nine league appearances for City this season, playing a role in their battle to retain top-flight status. Ahshene's technical ability and composure in the final third make him one of the most exciting prospects in South African football. His performances have not gone unnoticed, and with City now relegated, clubs in the Betway Premiership are likely to circle for his signature. Jaedin Rhodes In a season filled with setbacks, Jaedin Rhodes emerged as one of the few consistent performers for City. The 22-year-old midfielder featured in 23 matches, showcasing his resilience and maturity despite the team's struggles. Rhodes, who received a national team call-up to the Bafana Bafana Cosafa Cup squad last year, remains a highly valued asset. His creative spark and tactical intelligence could be central to City's hopes of bouncing back quickly. However, the lure of top-flight football may make it difficult for the club to hold onto him, especially with his stock rising. Emile Witbooi

IOL News
5 hours ago
- IOL News
Springboks dominate Barbarians, but Rassie Erasmus calls for improvement ahead of Italy Tests
SPRINGBOK players Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Vincent Tshituka held their own against the Barbarians in Cape Town. | AYANDA NDAMANE/Independent Newspapers Image: AYANDA NDAMANE/Independent Newspapers Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus says they won't get too carried away with their rout of the Barbarians, but he was happy with the platform they laid in a rainy DHL Stadium on Saturday evening to start their season with a 54-7 rout of the visitors. The world champions showed their mettle and were absolutely dominant in the second half to put eight tries past their opponents to claim a famous victory over the invitational side. With it, they won the ninth encounter between them and drew level with wins in the first-ever clash on South African soil. Both sides have won four, while one duel ended in a draw. Despite the wet Cape Town conditions, rain fell right through the clash, and Erasmus' troops acquitted themselves well of their task. For most of the match, they looked sharp on the attack, and defensively they kept the Baabaas out to only concede a try in the dying minutes of the duel. 'I am happy about the win, but there are lots for us to work on,' Erasmus said in his post-match interview. 'To keep them only to seven points and us getting to the score we had, we are happy with that, and no injuries were picked up. Some guys got a hit-out today who haven't played for a while. Other guys do not have a lot of caps. We are glad we came through it. 'For the Barbarians, this was probably the worst conditions to play in. We had to keep some structure, so overall it was satisfying, and now the Test matches start.'


The Citizen
5 hours ago
- The Citizen
‘It wasn't our best game' – Kolbe after Springboks smash BaaBaas
Cheslin Kolbe played a starring role for the Springboks in their emphatic 54-7 win over the BaaBaas, earning the man of the match award. Springbok wing Cheslin Kolbe goes over for a try in their season opener against the Barbarians in Cape Town on Saturday night. Picture: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images Springbok wing Cheslin Kolbe admitted that the Boks weren't at their best, despite steamrolling the Barbarians 54-7 in their one-off non-Test at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday night. It was the season opener for the Boks, taking on the famed invitational side, and they were looking to get off on the right foot ahead of their incoming series against Italy and Georgia over the next three weeks. In the end it was a solid all-round effort, as they ran in eight tries to one over the BaaBaas, in tricky weather as well with rain falling over most of the game, although as Kolbe explained it wasn't the perfect game and they have plenty to work on. 'It wasn't the best of conditions. So I want to thank the supporters who came out in them to support the Springboks and this wonderful game,' said Kolbe after the match. 'It wasn't the best game from us as a team, but it is a good way to start the season. I am sure there is a lot more we want to improve on, so I am just looking forward to us building on this week by week. 'The message was clear this week. This was a Test match for us, we respect the BaaBaas coming out here, and I know they didn't have a lot of preparation. 'But all the focus was on us and making sure that we get better one percent at a time. So not the best performance, but I think we can take a lot out of tonight.' Man of the match Kolbe was in top form himself, scoring a first half try, while he was almost unplayable in the second, soaring high to field contestable kicks, while he stepped and broke the line on numerous occasions which saw him pick up the man of the match award. 'You don't get a lot of opportunities out wide (in games like this), so you have to go and look for some work on the inside. But I always say you have to give credit to the guys on the inside for making it easier for us which they did today, and that allowed us to capitalise on those opportunities,' said Kolbe. 'The nines were also spot on with their kicking game, which allowed us to get into the (aerial) contest which is what the coaches want. And we have to capitalise on that and create momentum for the forwards.' Irish legend Peter O'Mahoney, who captained the BaaBaas in his final game before retiring, said that they had enjoyed the week in Cape Town and were proud of their effort. 'We knew it would be a very tough Test match against the double world champs. It's always tough coming here (to South Africa) to play. You are always in for a huge physical test and the Springboks showed their class today,' said O'Mahoney. 'We showed some great moments and in the short time we have been together we have had a superb week in Cape Town, and I am incredibly proud of the boys.'