Springboks vs Barbarians: 'It's going to be a good game!' - Jan de Koning, Rugby 365
Kick-off is on Saturday, 28 June at 5.10 pm at DHL Stadium in Cape Town.
FILE: South Africa captain Siya Kolisi returned to action as the Webb Ellis trophy holders overwhelmed Wales 52-16 in a Rugby World Cup warm-up match in Cardiff on 19 August 2023. Picture: @Springboks/X
Wasanga Mehana, standing in for 702 and CapeTalk's Africa Melane, speaks to Jan De Koning, Editor at Rugby 365.
Listen below:
Mzansi's world-number-one Springboks kick off their season on Saturday, 28 June, with a ‘warm-up’ clash against the Barbarians (Baa Baas) before the team then heads into a jam-packed set of international Test fixtures.
Saturday's match is historic as it marks the first encounter between South Africa and the Barbarians since 2016, and it’s the first time the teams will cross paths on African soil.
A few tickets are still available (a handful at R500) here.
Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus announced a powerful team of veterans and fresh talent for this match.
De Koning thinks Erasmus' team selection is 'good'.
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.
"Four players are newcomers, but they're seasoned players... It's a good team. The weather might hamper them a little bit, but I think it's going to be a good game. Rassie is very deliberate with his selections..."
- Jan de Koning, Editor - Rugby 365
"The Springboks are favourites. They've got enough experience... we don't have a problem with physicality and we've got Siya's leadership..."
- Jan de Koning, Editor - Rugby 365
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Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the full conversation.