Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has confirmed that due to the tight schedule between the United Rugby Championship final and the upcoming game against the Barbarians on 28 June, Bulls players won’t be part of this landmark match.
The Bulls are set to battle Leinster in the URC Grand Final at Dublin’s Croke Park on Saturday, 14 June. Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, Erasmus revealed that the Bulls players won’t have enough time to properly train with the Springbok squad after returning from Ireland.
This match will be the first time the Springboks face the Barbarians on home soil.
Erasmus Anticipates Free-Flowing Rugby as Bulls Sit Out
South Africa has met the Barbarians eight times previously, with the BaaBaas winning four matches, the Springboks three, and their last encounter in 2016 ending in a draw.
Erasmus highlighted the unpredictable nature of the Barbarians team, noting that they play without restrictions and focus on entertaining rugby. This means the Springboks will concentrate on their own game plan.
When asked about what to expect, Erasmus said:
“The Barbarians play with no shackles — it’s all about flair and fun without pressure. Since there’s little to analyze about them, we will focus on our own structures.”
A Blend of Experience and New Faces
Erasmus also explained that Bulls players won’t feature heavily because they will only join the squad on Tuesday, just before the match week begins. This means only limited training time with the Bok group.
He said, “It’s not a Test match, but we still want a strong team. We aim to give some uncapped players their first taste of Springbok rugby, while avoiding a heavy defeat.”
This game will be a valuable chance for players returning from Japan to regain their rhythm, as well as for newcomers to experience the intensity of high-level rugby.
Injury Updates and Preparation Plans
Erasmus confirmed several key players are sidelined with long-term injuries, including Trevor Nyakane, Frans Malherbe, Deon Fourie, Elrigh Louw, and Cameron Hanekom. Others like Gerhard Steenekamp and Lukhanyo Am still need medical clearance before they can be considered for selection.
On a brighter note, Jasper Wiese, Grant Williams, and Makazole Mapimpi are on track to return soon after recovering from injuries.
The Springbok squad wrapped up their first week of training camp on Friday and will regroup in Johannesburg on Sunday to continue preparations. They will then travel to Cape Town for final training ahead of the Barbarians match.
