It might not be an official Test match, but the Springboks aren’t planning on holding anything back when they meet the Barbarians in a historic match in Cape Town on Saturday, 28 June.
The world champions will host the famous invitational side on South African soil for the first time on Saturday.
Preparing to go up against a team like the Barbarians can be tricky given their unpredictable nature. But the Springboks are gearing up to stick to their own game.
“We see it as a Test match and we will play the game that way,” Bok assistant coach Tony Brown said during a press conference on Monday.
“The Barbarians are a famous side worldwide. Everyone knows how they play. Everyone knows what they try to do and the style they try to uphold as a Barbarians team. We’re aware of what’s coming – it is unpredictable rugby.
“You can’t really prepare for it. But, if your awareness is high around what they’re trying to do, then we can prepare as well as we can.”
Springboks’ all-round game will be key
Brown has been instrumental in the Boks’ continued growth since joining the back-to-back World Cup winners ahead of the 2024 season.
With him on board, the South Africans’ traditional set-piece strength and physicality have been perfectly complimented by their attacking evolution.
During the 2024 season, the Springboks enjoyed increased numbers in various attacking categories, including tries and points scored, meters gained, and carries-and passes made.
With this in mind, responding to Robbie Deans’ Barbarians – and serving challenges of their own – shouldn’t be too difficult for the Boks.
“It’s definitely a different challenge to what we normally would have,” Brown added. “They’ve always knocked over plenty of great sides over the years.
“The challenge is massive. That is exactly what we want for what we can call our first Test of the year.”
History (slightly) favours BaaBaas
The match will be the precursor to a packed international season for the Boks. It will be the ninth meeting between the sides.
South Africa have faced the Barbarians on eight occasions, claiming three victories to the Barbarians’ four. Their last meeting nine years ago ended in a draw.
“It won’t be Barbarians versus Barbarians; it will be Springboks versus Barbarians,” Brown explained.
“Everything we do will be about how we play the game, how we play Test match rugby, and how we are going to win the game.
“The first thing is we see it as a Test match, and we’re going to play the game that way.
“So, the guys who have been given the opportunity to play against the BaaBaas need to perform as best they can.
“We need to get our coaching right, we need to get our plans right. We always win Test matches through putting the opposition under pressure, whether it’s attack and defence. So that’ll be our plan against the BaaBaas.”
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