History in Cape Town: Boks v Barbarians

The Springboks kick off their 2025 season against the Barbarians at DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday, 28 June — marking the first time the famed invitational side will play on South African soil.

Tickets go on sale at 09:00 on Tuesday, 6 May, exclusively via Ticketmaster, with prices starting from R250.

The fixture is being organised by London-based agency Pitch International, which typically stages Barbarians matches abroad — most often in London — but this year agreed to bring the clash to Cape Town. It will serve as preparation for the Springboks’ Castle Lager Incoming Series opener against Italy in Pretoria a week later.

The Barbarians will be led by former All Blacks and Wallabies coach Robbie Deans, who brings decades of international experience. He will be assisted by Patrice Collazo (Racing 92), Atsushi Kanazawa (Saitama Wild Knights), and recently retired All Black Sam Whitelock. The squad will feature a global mix of players from the Vodacom URC, Top 14, Premiership, Super Rugby, and Japan Rugby League One.

This will be the ninth meeting between the Boks and Barbarians, with the last clash ending in a 31-31 draw at Wembley in 2016. The Barbarians hold a slight edge in the historical head-to-head, winning four of the eight previous matches.

“This is a historic moment,” said SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer. “It will be very special to welcome the Barbarians to South Africa for the first time. We’re grateful to the BaaBaas and Pitch for helping make it happen.”

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus said the match will be an ideal springboard into the Test season.

“It’s always exciting to face the Barbarians, and even more so with this being their first time on South African soil. This is the perfect opportunity to get the squad into match mode before the official internationals begin.”

“With a squad this size, you can simulate matches in training — but there’s nothing like the intensity and pressure of a proper game to get battle-ready.”

Deans, who coached the Barbarians to a draw against the Boks in 2016, called the upcoming clash “a rare spectacle” between two of the biggest names in the game.

“This will be an altogether different challenge. We’re hopeful of assembling a squad that delivers the type of rugby the occasion deserves.”

The Barbarians match sets the tone for a demanding 2025 campaign that includes the Castle Lager Incoming Series, the Rugby Championship, and a year-end tour.

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🗓️ Springbok Home Fixtures – 2025

Barbarians Series

• 28 June – 🇿🇦 Springboks vs Barbarians, DHL Stadium (Cape Town)

Castle Lager Incoming Series

• 5 July – 🇿🇦 South Africa vs Italy, Loftus Versfeld (Pretoria)

• 12 July – 🇿🇦 South Africa vs Italy, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (Gqeberha)

• 19 July – 🇿🇦 South Africa vs Georgia, Mbombela Stadium (Nelspruit)

Castle Lager Rugby Championship

• 16 August – 🇿🇦 South Africa vs Australia, Emirates Airline Park (Johannesburg)

• 23 August – 🇿🇦 South Africa vs Australia, DHL Stadium (Cape Town)

• 27 September – 🇿🇦 South Africa vs Argentina, Hollywoodbets Kings Park (Durban)

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