South Africa vs Barbarians: 'Start of a BIG season for Springboks' - Craig Ray, sports journalist
Ray says for the Springboks, it's about growing the squad and preparing for their quest to win their third-in-a-row at the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
CapeTalk's John Maytham speaks to Daily Maverick sports journalist Craig Ray.
Listen below:
Mzansi's world-number-one Springboks kick off their season on Saturday, 28 June, with a ‘warm-up’ clash against the Baa Baas.
Kick off on Saturday is at 5.10 pm at DHL Stadium in Cape Town.
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Springboks vs Barbarians: Kick-off is on Saturday (28 June) at 5.10 pm. Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika!
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On Tuesday, 24 June, the team's coach, Rassie Erasmus, announced a 5:3 'unusual split' for Saturday's match.
He named four uncapped players as part of Saturday's team.
Asenathi Ntlabakanye (prop) and Vincent Tshituka (flanker) have both been named in a relatively experienced starting lineup, while Marnus van der Merwe (hooker) and Neethling Fouche (prop) will feature alongside a few Rugby World Cup-winners and seasoned campaigners on the replacements bench.
Many of Erasmus’ combinations are tried and tested, with Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse joining forces in the back three, while double Rugby World Cup-winning centres Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel will look to make their presence felt in the midfield. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Morne van den Berg will dictate play at halfback.
Erasmus opted for a loose trio of Jean-Luc du Preez, Tshituka, and captain Siya Kolisi, while Franco Mostert and Kwagga Smith will join up with Van der Merwe, Wessels, and Fouche as the replacement forwards in a split of five forwards and three backs – Cobus Reinach, Manie Libbok, and Andre Esterhuizen – on the bench.
Ray explains why Erasmus might've opted for this team combination...
"I think it's about testing forward combinations... and it's also slightly forced as certain players weren't available. In many ways, it's probably the kind of team we expected... Rassie is giving opportunities to a few new players... He needed to have some continuity and some spine in the team, and that's why that backline looks like a very much Test choice number one backline..."
- Craig Ray, sports journalist - Daily Maverick
"I think it's as good a team you can put out... It's a good opportunity for the forwards to show what they can do."
- Craig Ray, sports journalist - Daily Maverick
"The result is important, you don't want to start the season with a loss... So, it's going to be a win-at-all-costs mindset for the Springboks, but for the Springboks, I suppose this isn't your traditional Barbarians game. This time around, it's the start of a big season for the Springboks in terms of growing the squad and bringing through a few players with a view to the Rugby World Cup 2027... the objectives are completely different from what they would normally be in November... They've got a lot to come... this is just the beginning of a 13-match campaign. For the Barbarians, it's a once-off hit-and-giggle and they've got nothing to lose."
- Craig Ray, sports journalist - Daily Maverick
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the full conversation.