The Springboks are back, and they’re kicking off the 2024 international season in style — hosting the Barbarians for the first time ever on South African soil. Rassie Erasmus has thrown a curveball by naming four uncapped players in his squad for the Qatar Airways Cup clash at Cape Town Stadium this Saturday.
Props Asenathi Ntlabakanye and Vincent Tshituka get their crack in a starting lineup brimming with seasoned talent, while hooker Marnus van der Merwe and fellow prop Neethling Fouché will make their debuts off the bench. It’s a bold but calculated move from Erasmus, who’s using this high-profile friendly to fine-tune combinations and test depth before the serious stuff begins.
“This is the perfect stage to get our Japan-based players back into the groove and see how some of the fresh faces stack up at this level,” Erasmus explained. “The Barbarians might not be a Test side, but we’re approaching this game with full intensity.”
Rassie Erasmus
Another big headline is the return of lock Lood de Jager, back in the Bok mix after injury woes kept him to just one Test in two seasons. He’ll partner Jean Kleyn in the engine room, a duo Erasmus hopes can spark immediate synergy.
The backline features plenty of firepower. Aphelele Fassi starts at fullback, with Kurt-Lee Arendse and Cheslin Kolbe on the wings — three game-breakers with pace to burn. Inside, Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel bring their familiar punch to midfield. At halfback, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Morne van den Berg will look to steer the ship with sharp execution.
Siya Kolisi captains the team from the side of the scrum, flanked by Tshituka and Jean-Luc du Preez. Up front, Ox Nche and Malcolm Marx complete a fearsome front row with debutant Ntlabakanye.
The replacements bench is stacked with a mix of impact and experience, including the dynamic Kwagga Smith, veteran Franco Mostert, and sharp-shooting Manie Libbok. Notably, only Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been included from the recent Vodacom URC and Gallagher Premiership finalists — players like Handré Pollard and RG Snyman have only just rejoined the squad and were always set to miss this one.
The team has been grinding away at training, first in Johannesburg and now Cape Town, and with the return of Pieter-Steph du Toit from injury, Erasmus now has a healthy 46-man squad to rotate from.
“This match gives us a read on how well the new guys have absorbed our systems,” said Erasmus. “Asenathi, Vincent, Neethling, and Marnus have really impressed at training. Saturday will be about seeing if they can carry that form onto the field.”
The Boks have a patchy history against the Barbarians, with just three wins in eight outings. The last encounter was a thrilling 31-all draw at Wembley in 2016. This time, though, it’s at home — and the vibe will be electric in Cape Town.
Kick-off is at 17:10, live on SuperSport, and while no Test caps will be awarded, there’s no doubt this game matters. It’s a statement match. The Boks will look to build momentum ahead of the Castle Lager Incoming Series, which includes Tests against Italy and Georgia in July.
So whether you’re in the stands or on your couch, expect fireworks. A mix of fresh blood, fan favourites, and strategic planning — this is classic Erasmus, and it’s just the beginning of what could be a blockbuster season.
