The Springboks opened their 2025 international season in dominant fashion, thumping the Barbarians 54-7 in a one-sided affair at a buzzing DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday evening.
Eight tries, some scintillating footwork, and brutal forward power gave Rassie Erasmus and his coaching staff plenty to smile about ahead of the looming Test series against Italy and Georgia. While matches against the Barbarians often have a festive feel, this was more of a mission statement from a South African side that looked sharp, structured, and utterly relentless.
Fast Start, Familiar Strengths
The Boks were up 19-0 by halftime, thanks to tries from Malcolm Marx, Cheslin Kolbe, and debutant Vincent Tshituka. The platform was laid early with dominance at scrum time — an area that repeatedly punished the Barbarians and gifted the home side attacking territory.
From a dropped high ball and a pressure lineout, Marx opened the scoring. Kolbe then finished off a silky grubber from Aphelele Fassi in the corner, and Tshituka muscled over from a rolling maul after yet another scrum penalty led to a kick to the corner.
Flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu converted two of the three, and with 10 minutes gone, it was already 12-0. The Barbarians — entertaining as always in intention — simply couldn’t cope with the Bok set-piece and line speed, and struggled to gain any meaningful territory or possession.
Despite some resistance toward the end of the first half, including their first attacking lineout, Kwagga Smith’s turnover stifled any momentum, and the hosts went into the break in full control.
Rain, Bomb Squad, and More Tries
Rain fell during the break, adding a greasy layer to the second half, but it didn’t dampen the Springbok spirit. With the famed “bomb squad” rolling onto the field together, the intensity only grew.
Hooker Jan-Hendrik Wessels powered over soon after, but it was Cheslin Kolbe’s footwork — combined with Jesse Kriel and Lood de Jager’s support — that unlocked the Barbarians defence. Libbok, on for Feinberg-Mngomezulu, slotted the extras, making it 26-0.
Kurt-Lee Arendse then scored a gem from a De Allende kick after a sweeping backline move that started nearly 70 metres out, before De Jager added a well-earned try of his own following another Kolbe spark. Libbok’s boot stayed true, stretching the score to 40-0.
Barbarians Break Through, Boks Hit 50
The Barbarians finally got on the board after 64 minutes when Melvyn Jaminet exploited a short-side lapse in defence to score and convert. It was a moment of relief for the visitors, but the Boks weren’t done yet.
Tshituka bagged his second try after more dominant forward play, and Libbok made no mistake from the tee. With the crowd urging them on, the Boks hit the 50-point mark in the final play when De Allende finished off a phase-heavy attack on the left wing. Libbok’s fifth conversion was the perfect finish to a clinical night.
Touch of Class Before Kick-Off
Before the fireworks, there was a poignant moment of respect from the visitors. In a gesture that moved the crowd, the Barbarians presented a No. 14 jersey to the family of the late Cornal Hendricks, who were on the field as flag bearers. A symbolic fly-over by sponsor Qatar Airways added to the spectacle, before the real action began.
Post-Match Reflections
While the Barbarians had limited time to prepare, they were thoroughly outplayed in all facets of the game. South Africa’s set-piece, breakdown pressure, and sharp attacking structure were simply too much.
Manie Libbok’s performance from the bench — especially with the boot — will ease some nerves around his consistency, while debutants like Tshituka and Wessels will have impressed the coaching staff.
It’s early days, but this was a commanding Springbok performance that suggests 2025 could be another year to remember.
Final Score:
Springboks 54 (19)
Barbarians 7 (0)
Springbok Tries: Marx, Kolbe, Tshituka (2), Wessels, Arendse, De Jager, De Allende
Conversions: Feinberg-Mngomezulu (2), Libbok (5)
Barbarians Try: Jaminet
Conversion: Jaminet
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