By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Springboks kicked off their 2026 international campaign with a high scoring 80-31 win over the Barbarians at a receptive Nelson Mandela Bay stadium in Gqeberha.
The match was a 12-try spectacle, highlighted by a hat-trick from wing Edwill van der Merwe.
The Boks started the match with intensity and purpose – and were rewarded when Van der Merwe rounded off a slick team move in the corner. Winger Cheslin Kolbe, entrusted with the kicking duties, added the conversion from out wide.
The Barbarians hit back when powerful centre Virimi Vakatawa crashed over for their opening try, with Argentina flyhalf Tomás Albornoz adding the extras to level matters.
The Boks responded immediately when flank Pieter-Steph du Toit muscled his way over the line.
South Africa then seized control of the contest. Van der Merwe grabbed his second try before No 8 Jasper Wiese and lock Riley Norton crossed as the hosts capitalised on two Barbarians yellow cards to build a healthy lead.
The BaaBaas finally managed to stop the rot with some positive play, followed by Williams receiving a yellow card in the 31st minute for cynical play, with them kicking to the corner, setting the maul and seeing it stopped short, before lock Franco Molina forced his way over.
With a man advantage the visitors were now cooking, and Aussie wing Andre Kellaway went into the corner untouched, followed by Perenara going over after a wonderful move in loose play, with flyhalf Tomas Albornoz adding the second conversion, to make it 35-26 with a minute to the break.
The Boks however landed the final strike on halftime, choosing to scrum deep in the BaaBaas 22m from a penalty, and Kolbe, filling in for Williams, picked up at the back and ran in to put them up 40-26.
The second half started with a disallowed try to the Boks, after an Aphelele Fassi high tackle in the build-up was caught and he was yellow carded.
Despite being a man down the Boks scored their first of the second 40, after the bomb squad came on and made an immediate impact, powering a maul over from a lineout deep in the BaaBaas 22m, with JJ Kotze dotting down.
Van Der Merwe, who had his hattrick chalked off earlier, wouldn’t be denied, as after some sustained pressure in the visitors half the Boks finally worked some space and put him into the corner in the 57th minute.
One of the biggest cheers from the Gqeberha crowd came when Faf de Klerk made his appearance off the bench. The blond-haired scrumhalf found himself on the scoresheet soon after to extend the Boks’ lead.
Centres Jesse Kriel and André Esterhuizen as well as replacement prop Zach Porthen completed the rout.
The Boks now gear up for their opening Nations Championship Test against England at Ellis Park on 4 July.
Scorers
Springboks: Tries – Edwill van der Merwe (3), Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jasper Wiese, Riley Norton, Cheslin Kolbe, JJ Kotze, Faf de Klerk, Jesse Kriel, Andre Esterhuizen, Zachary Porthen; Conversions – Kolbe (9), Vusi Moyo
Barbarians: Tries – Virimi Vakatawa, Franco Molina, Andrew Kellaway (2), TJ Perenara; Conversions – Tomas Albornoz (3).
The Bok captain Siya Kolisi felt the hosts laid a strong platform with their opening exchanges.
“The way we started, our kicking game and winning the scraps, I think we did that well,” Kolisi said.
“Then we started not making first-time tackles and letting them get their offloads away, which really got them in the game.”
“They got the ball away and got the upper hand a bit in the first half.”
One of the biggest positives was the contribution of several players earning their first taste of Springbok rugby.
“I’m so happy for them,” said Kolisi. “Riley [Norton], Paul [de Villiers], Vusi [Moyo], Carlü [Sadie] and JJ [Kotze] – it’s really special and we’ll be needing every single person [this season].”
South Africa A scored six unanswered tries to beat Zimbabwe at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.
It was a scrappy encounter between an SA A team playing together for the first time and a Zimbabwe side lying 24th in the World Rugby rankings.
The hosts ultimately claimed a 40-0 victory after leading 21-0 at half-time, but the World Cup-bound Sables came away with their pride in-tact.
South Africa A – Tries: Yaqeen Ahmed, Markus Muller, Haashim Pead, Nico Steyn, Imad Khan, Jaco Williams. Conversions: Ahmed (3), Luan Giliomee (2).