The Springboks kicked off their 2025 season in emphatic style, hammering the Barbarians 54-7 at a packed DHL Stadium on Saturday, 28 June.
Rassie Erasmus and his team will be pleased with the dominant showing, which saw them lift their third consecutive Qatar Cup. While most of the squad impressed, a few players stood out as exceptional — and a couple had quieter games compared to the rest.
Top Performers
Lood de Jager – 9/10
Back in the green and gold after nearly two years, Lood was unstoppable. He made strong, consistent carries and regularly crossed the gain line with ease. His defense was sharp, and he proved to be a reliable target in the lineouts. A commanding return to the Bok pack.
Vincent Tshitshuka – 8.5/10
What a way to announce yourself! On debut, the Sharks flanker dotted down twice and showed great energy around the field. His agility and confidence in attack stood out, and he slotted in well as a third lineout option.
Kurt-Lee Arendse – 8/10
Arendse’s return from Japan couldn’t have gone better. He finished off a slick team try in the corner and kept the Barbarians’ defense guessing with his speed and footwork. A reminder of just how valuable he is to the Boks’ backline.
Cheslin Kolbe – 9/10
The reigning SA Rugby Player of the Year delivered another masterclass. Kolbe scored a brilliant try, bossed the aerial game despite wet conditions, and was a rock on defense. His second-half bump-off of Ricky Riccitelli was a crowd-pleaser and a statement of intent.
Quieter Outings
Note: These players didn’t perform poorly — they just weren’t as explosive as their teammates in an otherwise dominant Bok performance.
Jean Kleyn – 6/10
A steady but unspectacular showing. While Kleyn was solid in the lineouts, he didn’t make much ground with ball in hand or impose himself in tackles. He did his job, but Lood de Jager clearly stole the spotlight.
Morne van den Berg – 6.5/10
Van den Berg kept things moving with quick service at the base, but he didn’t quite stamp his authority on the game. His replacement, Cobus Reinach, brought a noticeable spark when he came on.
