South Africa v Barbarians live: Latest score and updates as Springboks return to action – UK Times

It was a year of two halves for Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu in 2024, the Test newbie making an eye-catching start to his international career to seemingly seize the No 10 shirt through the Rugby Championship but then picking up an untimely injury – and seemingly frustrating Rassie Erasmus by not revealing the full extent of the issue. He thus missed the entirety of the November tour, which was a shame, but is back in a Springboks shirt today. With Handre Pollard still to come into the squad and Manie Libbok on the bench, there are options aplenty for Erasmus, though Feinberg-Mngomezulu perhaps has the highest ceiling as the South Africa coach looks ahead to the next World Cup.

In a different world, or under different eligibility criteria, David Ribbans and Joe Marchant would be in Argentina right now with England – but while playing in the Top 14, the duo are unavailable to Steve Borthwick. The England boss has missed them, too, Marchant having really established himself during the 2023 World Cup before moving to Stade Francais and Ribbans providing the sort of tight five heft the side has occasionally lacked when George Martin has been absent over the last couple of years.

There are rumours that Marchant may be seeking a Premiership return sooner rather than later, though it is thought he still has a year to run on his deal in Paris. He’ll feature off the bench a little later.

South Africa are hardly short of tightheads but there will be plenty pleased to see Asenathi Ntlabakanye get a go today. Even by prop standards, the Lions front-rower is giant – but he’s put in the work on Springboks scrum coach Daan Human’s farm to shed a few pounds and get into a little bit better shape. Ntalabakanye is more mobile than he might initially look, and you don’t particularly want to stray down his channel too often:

Sam Cane has had his fair share of battles with South Africa, the former New Zealand captain sent off, of course, in the World Cup final in Paris 18 months or so ago. The stakes are rather lower here but he’ll perhaps be keen to right a few wrongs.

Cane and Peter O’Mahony have a bit of history, too, the Irishman once quipping dismissively about the All Blacks No 7’s ability mid-game with an unfavourable comparison to the past occupier of that jersey, Richie McCaw. I think they’ve kissed and made up as they prepare to take the flanks today.

The retiring Peter O’Mahony skippers the Barbarians line-up, with fellow old Irish stager Cian Healy joining him in saying farewell. Ex-All Blacks captain Sam Cane joins O’Mahony in the back row and has plenty of Kiwis for company in a side full of New Zealanders young and old.

Mark Telea is an eye-catching inclusion after his omission from Scott Robertson’s latest squad while there is also a significant contingent taken from the Top 14, including lock David Ribbans and centre Joe Marchant, both part of England’s 2023 World Cup squad before moves to France left them ineligible. It’s a six/two bench for the BaaBaas.

Barbarians XV: 1 Cian Healy, 2 Camille Chat, 3 Paul Alo-Emile; 4 Ruben van Heerden, 5 David Ribbans; 6 Peter O’Mahony (capt.), 7 Sam Cane, 8 Shannon Frizell; 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 10 Josh Jacomb; 11 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, 12 Peter Umaga-Jensen, 13 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 14 Mark Telea; 15 Melvyn Jaminet.

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.

Rassie Erasmus has given chances to four uncapped players amidst plenty of experience in a strong South Africa side. Giant tighthead Asenathi Ntlabakanye and explosive flanker Vincent Tshituka both start as they pull on Springboks shirts for the first time, with front-rowers Marnus van der Merwe and Neethling Fouche also set to be used off the bench.

There are familiar faces elsewhere: Jesse Kriel captains the side after injury struck Siya Kolisi in the week, while Cheslin Kolbe, Damian de Allende and Malcolm Marx are among the other stars on show.

South Africa XV: 1 Ox Nche, 2 Malcolm Marx, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye; 4 Jean Kleyn, 5 Lood de Jager; 6 Marco van Staden, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 8 Jean-Luc du Preez; 9 Morne van den Berg, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu; 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 12 Damian de Allende, 13 Jesse Kriel (capt.), 14 Cheslin Kolbe; 15 Aphelele Fassi.

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.

The Barbarians are a slightly curious beast, a relic of a bygone age of amateurism perhaps out of place in the modern rugby world. But, as Luke Baker argues, that’s all part of their charm:

One of the breakout stars for the Springboks last year was full-back Aphelele Fassi, seizing his chance after an unexpected return to the South Africa squad. Here’s a little bit more about what makes him tick.

Since then, South Africa have lured back a significant figure in Felix Jones, the England assistant having handed in his notice last summer after a short stint under Steve Borthwick and now back with the Boks.

South Africa are back-to-back world champions for a reason, Rassie Erasmus seemingly always able to keep his side ahead of the game. Last year, I went to find out the secrets behind their next evolution as they set their sights on more success.