By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Qatar Airways announced on Tuesday that the Qatar Airways Cup will be up for grabs when the Springboks take on the Barbarians in an historic clash at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town.
It will be the third edition of the event, in which the Boks won the trophy on both previous occasions – against the All Blacks in 2023 and Wales last year, both in London.
The world champion Boks and the Baa Baas will cross swords on Saturday, 28 June at Cape Town Stadium. The legendary invitational side will be represented by Test centurions Sam Cane, Peter O’Mahony and Conor Murray.
Renowned for their flair, creativity and international diversity, the Baa Baas will be coached by the highly experienced Robbie Deans and is set to feature stars from the Vodacom URC, Top 14, English Premiership, Super Rugby and the Japanese League.
The match will be hosted in collaboration with Pitch International, forms part of the airline’s growing footprint in global rugby, complementing Qatar Airways’ sponsorships of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship and European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) competitions, as well as the forthcoming Qatar Airways Lions Tour to Australia, later in 2025.
Rian Oberholzer, CEO of SA Rugby, said: “We are delighted to collaborate with Pitch International to bring this landmark fixture to South Africa, and to Qatar Airways for their support.
“Pitch International’s global expertise in event delivery and promotion makes them the perfect partner to help showcase the Springboks and Barbarians to a worldwide audience. This partnership marks an exciting new chapter in our efforts to grow the game and connect with fans across the globe.”
The Qatar Airways Cup celebrates a series of milestones for the airline, as it commemorates 20 years of operations to South Africa in 2025. The airline connects passengers with 28 weekly flights to three key gateways in the country – Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban.
Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Thierry Antinori, said: “We are thrilled to introduce the Qatar Airways Cup to Cape Town for the first time, a city we have proudly served for two decades.
“Rugby has a rich heritage in South Africa, uniting communities across continents, and this match between two of the sport’s most storied teams is a fitting celebration of that spirit.
“Alongside our global partnerships with the URC, EPCR, and the Qatar Airways Lions Tour to Australia, this landmark fixture deepens our commitment to growing rugby’s global reach while connecting fans through seamless travel experiences.”
The 28 June clash in the Republic will mark the ninth meeting between the Boks and the black-and-white-clad Barbarians, and their first since an thrilling 31-31 draw at Wembley Stadium in London on 5 November 2016.