South Africa vs Barbarians Predictions - Barbarians to get close in wet Cape Town

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 26 Jun 2025

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Ralph Staniforth 26 Jun 2025

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South Africa's first game of 2025 with uncapped stars.
Barbarians include international players like Sam Cane.
Wet weather expected; tight contest anticipated.

South Africa have won nine of their last 10 matches (Getty Images)

South Africa vs Barbarians Preview

This is South Africa's first outing of 2025 and they have a few new faces. It could take some time to get going and with the weather expected to be wet, I foresee a tight contest.

South Africa vs Barbarians Preview
Head to Head
South Africa Form
South Africa Team News
Barbarians Form
Barbarians Team News

South Africa have won the last 2 World Cups.
South Africa are the holders of the Rugby Championship.
South Africa have won 9 of their last 10 matches.

Head to Head

These two have not met in recent years.

South Africa Form

South Africa are the team in the world at this moment in time that everyone wants to beat. They are the double World Cup winners and currently hold the Rugby Championship title.

This is the Springboks opening game of the 2025 season. Although it doesn’t count as a full international for players as caps are not handed out, it is an opportunity for players to put their hands up.

While Rassie Erasmus will want his team to focus on this like it is a Test match, expect the first half to be played with that in mind, but if the hosts can pull away, expect them to join the festival rugby of the Barbarians.

South Africa Team News

Rassie Erasmus has named four uncapped players in his side. They will remain uncapped after this game but the likes of Vincent Tshituka, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Morne van den Berg and Marnus van der Merwe can do with this experience.

The backline is littered with World Cup winners which should make for a superb contest.

Barbarians Form

Barbarians’ rugby is what everyone comes out to watch. It is a festival of rugby as world-class internationals are thrown into the mix with a week of training and they generally try to play a very expansive, attacking brand.

Make no mistake, this Barbarians side is littered with world-class players. All Blacks, Sam Cane and Shannon Frizell pack down in the back row alongside Peter O’Mahony. Peter Umaga-Jensen, along New Zealander features at inside centre with Mark Telea on the wing.

There are more All Blacks on the bench with Hoskins Sotutu the big one to watch out for late in the game. Leicester Fainga’anuku plays outside centre.

Barbarians Team News

Former Ireland captain, Peter O’Mahony will lead a star-studded Barbarians side in Cape Town against South Africa. Fell Irishman, the legendary prop, Cian Healy starts in the front-row in what will be his final professional game of rugby. Long time Springbok nemesis, Sam Cane also starts while in the back division, All Black wing, Mark Telea features.

Verdict

South Africa v Barbarians

I am backing South Africa to win but I do think the Barbarians will get inside the 15.5 handicap.

Barbarians +15.5

Handicap

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