The Springboks secured an emphatic 80-31 victory over the Barbarians in an exhibition match at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on 20 June 2026. Cheslin Kolbe delivered a standout individual performance, contributing 23 points to his team’s tally through a try and nine successful conversions.
Experimental Squad Performance
The encounter served as a key fixture for the national side as they begin their preparations for the upcoming Nations Championship. Edwill van der Merwe also played a pivotal role in the win, crossing the whitewash three times to secure a hat-trick for the Springboks.
During the match, the coaching staff utilised an experimental squad to provide uncapped players with international experience. The rotations became critical when scrum-half Grant Williams received a yellow card, leading to Kolbe stepping into the position and assuming the team’s kicking duties for the remainder of the fixture.
Preparation For International Tests
This match is a critical building block for the Springboks ahead of their extensive July 2026 schedule, which includes highly anticipated Test series against England, Scotland, and Wales. The team is currently balancing immediate performance requirements with long-term strategic goals for the 2027 World Cup.
The management will likely review footage from the Gqeberha fixture to assess the depth of the squad across various positions as they finalise plans for the opening of the Nations Championship. Further announcements regarding the squad lineup for the July Test series are expected in the coming weeks.