Rugby fans are in for a historic treat as the Springboks gear up to face the world-renowned Barbarians on South African soil for the very first time.
The match, scheduled for Saturday, 28 June at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town, will mark the launch of the Boks’ 2025 international season.
Tickets for the landmark showdown start at R250 and will be available exclusively through Ticketmaster from 09h00 on Tuesday, 6 May.
Traditionally a European fixture, this high-profile encounter has been brought to local shores thanks to an agreement with London-based sports marketing agency Pitch International, in partnership with the Barbarians and SA Rugby. The match will serve as a curtain-raiser to the Castle Lager Incoming Series, which kicks off a week later against Italy in Pretoria.
“This is an historic moment and it will be very special to welcome the Barbarians to South Africa for the first time,” said SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer.
“We’re grateful to the Barbarians and Pitch for making this happen and helping us prepare for a demanding international season.”
The Barbarians will be led by seasoned coach Robbie Deans, a former All Blacks fullback with a coaching résumé that includes stints with the Wallabies and Crusaders. He’ll be supported by a global coaching lineup including Patrice Collazo (France), Atsushi Kanazawa (Japan), and recently retired All Black legend Sam Whitelock.
For the Springboks, it will be their ninth meeting with the iconic black-and-white jerseyed team. The last clash ended in a thrilling 31-31 draw at Wembley Stadium in 2016. The Boks’ last victory over the Barbarians dates back to 2000 in Cardiff, with the invitational side narrowly leading the all-time series 4-3, with one draw.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus welcomed the fixture as a vital warm-up opportunity.
“There’s no substitute for the intensity of a proper international match,” said Erasmus.
“Facing the Barbarians at home is a massive occasion and the perfect way to kick-start our campaign. They’re unpredictable and star-studded, which means we’ll need to be sharp and focused on our own game plan.”
The Barbarians will draw from a global talent pool, featuring players from leagues including the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, French Top 14, English Premiership, Super Rugby, and Japan’s domestic competitions.
“It’s a mouth-watering fixture,” said Deans. “Two of the game’s great brands going head-to-head in South Africa—what more could rugby fans ask for? We’re aiming to bring flair, physicality, and a real spectacle to Cape Town.”
The Barbarians clash sets the tone for a bumper 2025 Springbok season, which includes home Tests against Italy and Georgia in July, the Rugby Championship battles against Australia, New Zealand, and Argentina from August through October, and an end-of-year tour.
Confirmed Springbok Home Fixtures – 2025:
28 June: Springboks vs Barbarians – DHL Stadium, Cape Town
5 July: SA vs Italy – Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
12 July: SA vs Italy – Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha
19 July: SA vs Georgia – Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
16 August: SA vs Australia – Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
23 August: SA vs Australia – DHL Stadium, Cape Town
27 September: SA vs Argentina – Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
