Springboks are Back! Everything you need to know

Published on 27th June 2025 | Leave a response

After a great 2024 Test Season, the World-Champion Springboks open the 2025 season with a historic first ever clash against the Barbarians in South Africa. Here’s your weekend preview of the showdown at the DHL Stadium on Saturday in Cape Town, Top 14’s final, the SA under 20s at the World Championship, and the British & Irish Lions tour opener against the Force in Perth, Australia.

Boks vs Barbarians

The Springboks kick off their 2025 season with a rare spectacle — a clash against the Barbarians on home soil for the first time, with the Qatar Airways Cup up for grabs at Cape Town’s DHL Stadium.

It’s been two decades since the Boks last beat the famous invitational side, winning 41-31 in Cardiff in 2000. The two teams last met in 2016, sharing the spoils in a thrilling 31-31 draw at Wembley. Of the eight contests between the sides since 1952, the BaaBaas have won four, drawn one and lost three.

This time, it’s not about the record. For Rassie Erasmus, the occasion offers a chance to blood new talent, welcome a few returnees, and sharpen the group before July’s Test window against Italy and Georgia.

Facing a Barbarians outfit that thrives on flair and instinct, the Boks will be challenged to balance discipline with expression. Yes, it’s an exhibition. Yes, it’s about entertainment. But the Springboks have work to do — and this is no place for aimless helter-skelter. Expect set-piece accuracy, defensive cohesion, and a clear physical statement.

Robbie Deans has named a high-calibre squad led by Test centurions Peter O’Mahony, Conor Murray, and Sam Cane — all making their Barbarians debut. The trio, playing without the burden of Test pressure, will relish the freedom and camaraderie the Barbarians week offers.

But the Boks aren’t in this for fun alone. Erasmus and his lieutenants are known for their deep analysis — yet this week, unpredictability rules. That puts the emphasis on execution: do the basics well, dominate collisions, and impose the green-and-gold DNA.

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The Barbarians will run, step and offload. The Springboks will hit, maul and grind. Expect fireworks early, and structure to win out late.

It’s a celebration, sure. But for South Africa, it’s also a statement — and the start of a season with bigger goals in sight.

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Western Force vs British & Irish Lions

The British & Irish Lions open their Australian tour in familiar territory — a clash with the Western Force, just as they did 12 years ago in 2013.

That last meeting ended in a 69-17 Lions rout. This time, the tourists are chasing momentum after being edged 28-24 by Argentina in a scrappy pre-tour match in Dublin.

Lions coach Andy Farrell has rung the changes from Dublin.

Just two players — flanker Tadhg Beirne and centre Sione Tuipulotu — survive from the loss to the Pumas. Dan Sheehan, the dynamic Ireland hooker, captains the side on debut, packing down between Tadhg Furlong and Pierre Schoeman.

The back row is potent: Beirne is joined by former World Rugby Player of the Year Josh van der Flier and exciting youngster Henry Pollock. Scotland’s Finn Russell steers the ship from flyhalf, with Tomos Williams at scrumhalf and Garry Ringrose combining with Tuipulotu in midfield. Elliot Daly starts at fullback, with Mack Hansen and James Lowe on the wings.

After a bruising debut, Farrell is tapping deeper into his Leinster core — nine feature in the matchday 23 — while tour captain Maro Itoje is among those rested.

The Force, under head coach Simon Cron, finished ninth in Super Rugby and come into the clash on a five-match losing streak. But they’ve regained five Wallabies squad members, including veteran No 9 Nic White and towering lock Darcy Swain. Flyhalf Ben Donaldson also returns after Kurtley Beale’s injury setback in training.

Cron says the occasion demands emotional intensity, but clarity too. “Assume some things. Believe nothing. Confirm on field,” was his message.

The Force know what’s coming — Lions structure, physicality and set-piece pressure. But they’ll back their experience and home support to make it uncomfortable for the visitors in Perth.

British & Irish Lions:

15 Elliot Daly, 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 James Lowe, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Henry Pollock, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Tadhg Beirne, 5 Joe McCarthy, 4 Scott Cummings, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Dan Sheehan (captain), 1 Pierre Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Andrew Porter, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Ollie Chessum, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Huw Jones, 23 Marcus Smith.

Western Force:

15 Ben Donaldson, 14 Mac Grealy, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Hamish Stewart, 11 Dylan Pietsch, 10 Alex Harford, 9 Nic White (captain), 8 Vaiolini Ekuasi, 7 Nick Champion de Crespigny, 6 Will Harris, 5 Darcy Swain, 4 Sam Carter, 3 Ollie Hoskins, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Tom Robertson.
Replacements: 16 Nic Dolly, 17 Marley Pearce, 18 Tiaan Tauakipulu, 19 Lopeti Faifua, 20 Reed Prinsep, 21 Henry Robertson, 22 Max Burey, 23 Bayley Kuenzle.