The international rugby season is about to kick off with an absolute explosion of flair. The legendary Barbarians FC have unveiled a lethal, highly experienced wave of international superstars ahead of their highly anticipated clash against the reigning World Champion Springboks.
The iconic black-and-white striped jersey will blood several new world-class talents when they collide with the Boks at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Saturday, 20 June.
The Scottish Connection & The Master Plan
Headline-grabbing winger Duhan van der Merwe will pull on the Barbarians jersey for the very first time. The former Junior Springbok powerhouse, who has gone on to dominate European rugby for Scotland and the British & Irish Lions, is bracing for an emotional return to South African soil.
In a brilliant piece of tactical planning, Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has collaborated with the Barbarians to name Van der Merwe alongside fellow Scottish stars D’Arcy Rae and Liam McConnell. The move ensures the trio gets high-intensity game time in SA before they return with their national side on 11 July to face the Springboks in a highly anticipated Nations Championship test at Loftus Versfeld.
“The Barbarians is a rugby institution,” Van der Merwe stated. “To play for them against the World Champions will be a massive challenge and one I’m really looking forward to.”
Global Firepower Added to the Backline
The Barbarians invitation list reads like a fantasy rugby roster, loaded with multi-cap international match-winners:
- TJ Perenara (New Zealand): The former All Blacks vice-captain brings a staggering 89 Tests worth of tactical genius, sharp distribution, and attacking instinct.
- Andrew Kellaway (Australia): The electric Wallaby outside back arrives with 49 international caps of pure top-tier pace.
- Tomás Albornoz (Argentina): The Los Pumas playmaker will look to direct the Baa-Baas’ famous free-flowing attacking structure from flyhalf.
- Santiago Arata (Uruguay): The lethal, high-tempo Los Teros scrumhalf adds serious zip and breakdown threat.
The blockbuster clash will form part of an epic international double-header in Gqeberha, which will also feature the South African “A” team taking on a rising Zimbabwe national side.
Fan Alert: Tickets are moving exceptionally fast but remain available via the official SA Rugby Ticket Portal.
Inside the Camp: Updated 53-Man Springbok Squad
Rassie Erasmus has named an expansive training squad blending elite, double-World Cup-winning heavyweights with an incredibly exciting crop of next-generation talent.
SPRINGBOK TRAINING SQUAD
FORWARDS (31)
Phepsi Buthelezi, Lood de Jager, Paul de Villiers, Ben-Jason Dixon, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Neethling Fouche, Bathobele Hlekani, Hanro Jacobs, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, JJ Kotze, Danie Kruger, Sibabalwa Mahashe, Malcolm Marx, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Siphosethu Mnebelele, Salmaan Moerat, Franco Mostert, Ox Nche, Riley Norton, Zachary Porthen, Oliver Reid, Evan Roos, Carlu Sadie, Emmanuel Tshituka, Vincent Tshituka, Liam van Wyk, Andre-Hugo Venter, Boan Venter, Jasper Wiese.
BACKS (22)
Yaqeen Ahmed, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Faf de Klerk, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphele
