Kicking game, defence the big tests awaiting Springboks against Barbarians, says Mzwandile Stick
SPRINGBOK wing Cheslin Kolbe will hope to spark the attack and contribute defensively against the Barbarians. Photo: AYANDA NDAMANE Independent Media
Image: AYANDA NDAMANE Independent Media
For all intents and purposes, any game against the Barbarians is a bit of a hit-and-giggle affair.
You get a bunch of rugby players from around the world together in one location for a week, and although they are some renowned figures, they won't have much of a plan to execute on the Saturday.
But knowing coach Robbie Deans – multiple Super Rugby champion with the Crusaders and former Wallaby mentor – the Barbarians will have a New Zealand template to work with for Saturday's clash against the Springboks at Cape Town Stadium (5.10pm kick-off).
That is why despite the expected slippery conditions and wet weather, the game is a valuable exercise for the Boks, especially with the double-crunch against the All Blacks awaiting in New Zealand in September.
That is probably part of the reason why coach Rassie Erasmus has opted for his current first-choice back-three combination of Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse for Saturday's encounter.
For all intents and purposes, they are likely to make the cut for the September 6 showdown with the All Blacks in Eden Park in Auckland too.
So, dealing with a barrage of box-kicks from a former All Black scrumhalf in Tawera Kerr-Barlow is ideal preparation for the major challenges later in the season.
'It's about how you adapt to the conditions, and the biggest challenge will always be the kicking game,' Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick said during the pre-match press conference on Friday.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Next
Stay
Close ✕
'But I doubt that the Baabaas will lean to that side, and will try to keep the ball.
'But if they do lean towards the contestable kicking game, it is going to be the biggest challenge for our covers at the back.
'On the other side, we pride ourselves on our set-pieces, and how we defend. Hopefully we can get our systems in place, and the challenges from the Baabaas will probably be what we will face later on in the season.
'We are going to play against the All Blacks, who have a lot of X-factor. Against France, ball-in-play time is going to be key against them.
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 biggest thing is going to be the kicking game, with the defence.'
At the same time, it is also an ideal opportunity for Springbok halfbacks Morné van den Berg and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu to showcase their kicking skills.
Van den Berg was outstanding in that regard in his wet-weather Test debut last season, while Feinberg-Mngomezulu's terrific soccer ability should stand him in good stead against the Barbarians.
'I don't think it can get worse than what we experienced on Wednesday (during training),' Stick said.
'You don't get that peaceful winter season – you get it all in one day, and we are well prepared for whatever happens on Saturday.
'We hope it will dry up so that we can put on a good show for the fans.
'They've got brilliant individuals in that team.
'They've got (Mark) Tele'a and (Hoskins) Sotutu, and Ruben (van Heerden) will be psyched up as he was close to making our team as well.
'We don't know what to expect from these guys, but they will give us a tough challenge.
'You don't want to coach 'donkeys' – who have blinkers on. The Baabaas (haven't played together, but) will challenge our systems.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
43 minutes ago
- The Citizen
Springboks not taking ageing Barbarians for granted
A mixed Springbok team, featuring fringe players but also plenty of experience, won't be taking the BaaBaas side for granted in their season opener. Springbok lock Lood de Jager is set to make his first start for the team in over two years in their season opener against the Barbarians on Saturday. Picture: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images The Springboks won't be taking an ageing Barbarians team for granted and will be gunning for a win to get their international season up and running on the best possible note when the teams clash at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 5:10pm). The first game of the season is always a tricky one as players try to gel together and find their feet, and it is even more so when there are a number of inexperienced players in the mix. In their match 23 the Boks have four uncapped players making their first appearance in the green and gold, although it won't count as a Test cap against the famed invitational side, four more players have under 10 caps and another four have under 20. So it is a relatively inexperienced side, backed by a fair few veterans, mostly based in Japan, who will be looking to guide them. On the BaaBaas front, they chock full of experience, with a slew of players having over 100 caps for their respective countries, however many of them are on their way out, with some retiring while others are well into the twilight of their careers. That includes the experienced Irish trio of team captain and loose forward Peter O'Mahoney, prop Cian Healy and scrumhalf Conor Murray, while All Blacks veterans, loose forwards Sam Cane and Shannon Frizell, and scrumhalf Tawara Kerr-Barlow also bolster the team. Boks favourites Despite the Boks arguably being favourites despite some of the inexperience in the match 23, Erasmus cautioned against taking the BaaBaas lightly. 'We last played eight months ago and we've seen what happened to the British and Irish Lions recently against Argentina when they put a team together. Credit, though, must go to Argentina for that victory,' said Erasmus. 'Selecting just an experienced side to win this game would've been beside the point. We know we could've selected our most in-form side, but what happens in 12 months then (if the inexperienced players aren't given a run). 'We want a good start, that is why we selected this side, and we would love to entertain, but we won't fuel their fire.' An exciting moment for the Boks will be the return of veteran lock Lood de Jager, who has not played for the national team in over two years, after illness and then injury ruled him out for long periods of time, and Erasmus is looking forward to seeing him in action again. 'Lood is a student of the game when it comes to lineouts. One positive for a 32-year-old body is that if you have such a long spell of injuries and illness, you get a break and you can focus on your personal life with family,' said Erasmus. 'But then your body also rests. He didn't play 30 games in the last two years. It is kind of like a car that's been parked in the garage. You don't pick up mileage, but you will be a bit rusty. 'I am very excited for Lood. He thought it was all over (his Bok career), and he won't play again. But here he is and hopefully, he gets a good run.'
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
COMMENT: Sundowns fall short at Club World Cup – but is it a win for South Africa?
Mamelodi Sundowns chairman Tlhopie Motsepe pictured next to the FIFA Club World Cup trophy. | Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers Mamelodi Sundowns may have exited the FIFA Club World Cup at the group stages, but their campaign in the United States did more than just make up the numbers — it made a statement. Despite falling short of the knockout rounds, their performance and presence on the global stage could be seen as a major win, not just for the club, but potentially for South African football at large. The Betway Premiership champions ended their tournament with four points from three matches — a 1-0 win over Ulsan Hyundai, a narrow 4-3 defeat to Borussia Dortmund, and a goalless draw with Fluminense. While that wasn't enough to book a place in the last 16, Sundowns walked away with their heads held high and their bank account significantly heavier. The club is set to pocket an eye-watering R228 million in prize money — the biggest single payday in their history — following their participation in the expanded 32-team Club World Cup. And for a team that has invested heavily in continental dominance, this financial return represents more than just cash — it's validation. At the heart of their competitive showing was Miguel Cardoso, the Portuguese tactician who took over from Manqoba Mngqithi seven months ago. In that time, Cardoso has implemented a modern, structured style of play that translated impressively onto the world stage. His side was bold and technically sharp against Dortmund, showed composure in the win over Ulsan, and displayed tactical discipline to hold Fluminense. While their early exit was disappointing on paper, context matters. Sundowns didn't look out of place — they looked like they belonged. And that matters in a tournament where African clubs are often seen as mere participants.
TimesLIVE
an hour ago
- TimesLIVE
Orbit in the money after promotion to Premiership
After making history by earning promotion to the Betway Premiership on Wednesday, Orbit College can bet on a better financial state next season. The Rustenburg-based club beat Cape Town City 1-0 in their last PSL promotional playoff clash to raise their points at the top of the table to an unassailable eight. Orbit's playoffs rivals Casric Stars and City, who are both on two points apiece, meet next for the irrelevant last match of the round-robin contest. For Orbit, being in the elite league means the club will receive a monthly grant of R2.5m from the league. The amount is a far cry from the R500,000 the Motsepe Foundation Championship (MFC) clubs get per month. That means Orbit will go from receiving R6m per annum to R30m. Orbit are also guaranteed appearance fees in the Carling Knockout (R250,000) and Nedbank Cup (R250,000) competitions. And depending on how far they go in each competition, they stand to make a lot of money. The first prizes for the two cup competitions are R6,6m and R7m, respectively. Even better, and potentially a marketing hook for sponsorship, Orbit's promotion means they have finally gave North West a club in the Premiership after a seven-year wait. The province is home to valuable minerals, including gold and platinum, and the mining industry is thriving with several companies operating. After a decade in the ABC Motsepe League, the third tier, Orbit only earned promotion to the MFC two seasons ago. The Mswenko Boys finished second behind Durban City in the MCF to qualify for the playoffs, while Durban earned automatic promotion to the Premiership. Captain Atisang Batsi said they knew their time had come to win promotion. "We said at the beginning of the season that this is our time and we made it," Batsi told SuperSport TV after the game at Olympia Park in Rustenburg. "It means a lot to us, when we started the season, it was a little bit bad but when the season continued we became better. We are looking forward to playing in the Betway Premiership next season." With the promotion done, Orbit will start their preparations for the Premiership where they will have to strengthen the team with experienced players.
