Five Springboks who must fly to catch Rassie's eye against Barbarians
Springbok lock Jean Kleyn. Photo: AFP
Image: AFP
It may not be an official Test match, but there is a lot to play for when the Springboks run out against the Barbarians at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.
Here are five Boks who could catch the eye of coach Rassie Erasmus for more important matters later in the season…
Morné van den Berg
The Bok scrumhalf situation is a bit up-in-the-air at the moment. First-choice No 9 Grant Williams is still injured, Jaden Hendrikse was dropped, and Embrose Papier was ignored despite a stellar season with the Bulls.
And while Erasmus had the experienced duo of Cobus Reinach and Faf de Klerk to turn to, he has opted for Lions No 9 Van den Berg to start against the Barbarians.
Known for his pace across the ground, Van den Berg has worked hard on his kicking game in recent years, which has improved significantly.
But now he has a chance to measure himself against the highly-experienced former All Black scrumhalf Tawera Kerr-Barlow, who will also keep the South African honest around the fringes on defence.
Jean-Luc du Preez
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Having been part of so many squads in recent seasons, former Sharks star Du Preez wasn't called upon.
But now the England-based loose forward has to show Erasmus why he should be retained and even challenge Jasper Wiese for the No 8 jersey.
Bulls stars Elrigh Louw and Cameron Hanekom are out for the rest of the year, so a stand-out display from the abrasive Du Preez against former All Black Shannon Frizell – who has a similar playing style – could catapult him into contention for the Rugby Championship.
Vincent Tshituka
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 Sharks flank would probably have made his Bok debut while at the Lions a few years ago if it wasn't for the off-field administrative problems with regards to his official documents.
But now Tshituka will hope to translate that outstanding United Rugby Championship form over many years onto the international scene.
It doesn't come much tougher than facing two grizzled flanks in Peter O'Mahony and Sam Cane, and if Tshituka forces his way over the advantage line, he will get more game-time.
Jean Kleyn
Untimely injuries have robbed former Ireland lock Kleyn of more Test caps, but now he's back to stake a claim for more opportunities.
The lock stocks are suddenly looking rosy now that Lood de Jager is back from injury, so competition is going to be at the highest possible level in the second row.
But there is a chance for Kleyn to prove to the Bok coaches that he can be a permanent solution at No 4, as both Eben Etzebeth and Salmaan Moerat have battled with injuries.
Asenathi Ntlabakanye
We all know the remarkable 'Kamp Daan Draad' that the popular Lions No 3 had to endure to shed an amazing 18kg.
But now Ntlabakanye must prove what we all think he can do: be a force at international level.
His first port of call will the scrums, where Irish veteran Cian Healy will be waiting with bated breath to get stuck into him in his last match before retirement.
But we also want to see Ntlabakanye make his barn-storming carries at close quarters and burst through tackles to get the Boks onto the front foot.
Springbok Team
15 Aphelele Fassi 14 Cheslin Kolbe 13 Jesse Kriel (captain) 12 Damian de Allende 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu 9 Morné van den Berg 8 Jean-Luc du Preez 7 Vincent Tshituka 6 Marco van Staden 5 Lood de Jager 4 Jean Kleyn 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye 2 Malcolm Marx 1 Ox Nche.
Bench: 16 Marnus van der Merwe 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels 18 Neethling Fouché 19 Franco Mostert 20 Kwagga Smith 21 Cobus Reinach 22 Manie Libbok 23 André Esterhuizen.
Barbarians Team
15 Melvyn Jaminet 14 Mark Tele'a 13 Leicester Fainga'anuku 12 Peter Umaga-Jensen 11 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkins 10 Josh Jacomb 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow 8 Shannon Frizell 7 Sam Cane 6 Peter O'Mahony (captain) 5 David Ribbans 4 Ruben van Heerden 3 Paul Alo-Emile 2 Camille Chat 1 Cian Healy.
Bench: 16 Ricky Riccitelli 17 Hassane Kolingar 18 Will Collier 19 Josh Beehre 20 Hoskins Sotutu 21 Santiago Arata 22 Joe Marchant 23 Lachlan Boshier.
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