International rugby returns to South Africa this weekend, as the Springboks go up against the Barbarians in rain-soaked Cape Town on Saturday.
The back-to-back Rugby World Cup champions play for the first time this year against the invitational side, with the match designated as a non-cap affair.
But that means little to Springboks supremo Rassie Erasmus, who has a pair of Test matches against Italy and another against Georgia to follow, before they bid to seal another Rugby Championship crown in the Southern Hemisphere spring.
It’s the Qatar Airways Cup that is at stake first, though, with a packed Cape Town Stadium ready to welcome the Baa-Baas to the Mother City.
Uncapped the contest may be, but it’ll still be a proud moment for four new names to don the famous green and gold.
Asenathi Ntlabakanye and Vincent Tshituka both make their full debuts in national colours, while there will be maiden appearances off the bench for front row pair Marnus van der Merwe and Neethling Fouche, the latter running out on his home turf at the foot of Table Mountain.
Iconic captain Siya Kolisi won’t be appearing, however, with the skipper ruled out thanks to a late injury blow.
His starting place is taken by Marco van Staden, with Jesse Kriel promoted from the ranks to lead his country.
Kriel’s opposite number is another legend of the game, as Ireland’s Peter O’Mahony skippers a touring party stacked with talent on their African adventure, in what is slated to be his farewell appearance on the big stage.
Irish counterpart Cian Healy will also call it quits after this weekend, adding a layer of emotion to the occasion.
Speaking of which, a penny for the thoughts of Ruben van Heerden, who lines up in the locks against his countrymen, as does Cape Town born-and-raised England international David Ribbans.
Coach Robbie Deans also has a bundle of familiar materials to work with as the Baa-Baas play on South African soil for the first time, with fellow Kiwis galore in his squad.
All Blacks Sam Cane and Shannon Frizell are both in the back row, while the half-back pairing sees Tawera Kerr-Barlow and Josh Jacomb teaming up.
It’s the same in the backline as France full back star Melvyn Jaminet is the only non-Kiwi starter, with Peter Umaga-Jensen and Leicester Fainga’anuku an eye-catching midfield duo.
South Africa Starting XV: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel (captain), 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Morné van den Berg, 8 Jean-Luc du Preez, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Andre Esterhuizen.
Barbarians Starting XV: 15 Melvyn Jaminet, 14 Mark Telea, 13 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 12 Peter Umaga-Jensen, 11 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkins, 10 Josh Jacomb, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Shannon Frizell, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Peter O’Mahony (captain), 5 David Ribbans, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Paul Alo-Emile, 2 Camille Chat, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Ricky Riccitelli, 17 Hassane Kolingar, 18 Will Collier, 19 Josh Beehre, 20 Hoskins Sotutu, 21 Santiago Arata, 22 Joe Marchant, 23 Lachlan Boshier.
Springboks vs Barbarians prediction
| Team | Win Chance | Draw Chance |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 58% | 7% |
| Barbarians | 35% | 7% |
Likely scoreline: South Africa 34-28 Barbarians