Boks open 2025 campaign with historic match against BaaBaas
The match, the ninth meeting between the two sides, will be played in Cape Town on 28 June and will be the first time that the invitational side plays in South Africa.
Substitutes come onto the field for the Springboks in their Test match against Scotland on 10 November 2024. Picture: @Springboks/X
CAPE TOWN - The Springboks will open their 2025 season with a historic match against the Barbarians on home soil.
The match, the ninth meeting between the two sides, will be played in Cape Town on 28 June and will be the first time that the invitational side plays in South Africa.
The Barbarians will be coached by former Wallabies and Crusaders coach, Robbie Deans.
The match is the first meeting between the sides since the 31-all draw in November 2016 at London's Wembley Stadium and will be in preparation for the Springboks' Incoming Series opener against Italy in Pretoria on 5 July.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus said the match against the Barbarians would be the "perfect opportunity" to get his players match-ready for the Incoming Series.
"It’s always exciting to face the BaaBaas, and this match will be particularly special as it marks the first time that we will face them in South Africa," said Erasmus.
"For us this will be the perfect opportunity to get the players match-ready for the official international season, which starts a week later.
"With a big squad, one can simulate a match situation, but there is nothing like a proper international with the full build-up and the pressure to get the players battle ready, so this is a great occasion for us.
"With the Barbarians team featuring players from across the world, they are tough to analyse, so the key for us will be to focus on our structures and what we want to achieve on the field."
The Springboks follow up their Incoming Series opener against Italy with a second match against the tourists in Gqeberha on 12 July and will then host Georgia in Nelspruit on 19 July.
The world champions will then embark on the defence of their Rugby Championship title against Australia at home, play New Zealand away and then play Argentina in Durban and London.
The Springboks will end the season with the end-of-year tour.
Springbok fixtures 2025:
28 June: Barbarians vs SA – DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Castle Lager Incoming Series:
5 July: SA vs Italy – Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
12 July: SA vs Italy – Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha
19 July: SA vs Georgia – Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
Castle Lager Rugby Championship:
16 August: SA vs Australia – Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
23 August: SA vs Australia – DHL Stadium, Cape Town
6 September: SA vs New Zealand - Eden Park, Auckland
13 September: SA vs New Zealand - Sky Stadium, Wellington
27 September: SA vs Argentina – Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
4 October: SA vs Argentina - London
End-of-Year Tour:
8 November: SA vs France - Stade de France, Paris
15 November: SA vs Italy - Allianz Stadium, Turin
22 November: SA vs Ireland - Aviva Stadium, Dublin
29 November: SA vs Wales - Principality Stadium, Cardiff