Former All Blacks captain Cane headlines star-studded Barbarians team to face Springboks

Tue, Jun 24, 2025, 11:29 PM
AFP
by AFP
Sam Cane will once again face the Springboks, this time for the Barbarians. Photo: Getty Images
Sam Cane will once again face the Springboks, this time for the Barbarians. Photo: Getty Images

Sam Cane, the New Zealand captain in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final loss to South Africa, is in the Barbarians squad to face the Springboks in Cape Town on Saturday.

The 33-year-old flanker has since quit Test rugby after 104 appearances for the All Blacks and moved to Japan, where he plays for Tokyo Sungoliath.

Watch every game of the 2025 British & Irish Lions Tour live and on-demand via Stan Sport.

A couple of Ireland Test centurions, prop Cian Healy and flanker Peter O'Mahony, who ended their international careers this year, are also in a 23-man squad for the exhibition match.

New Zealander Robbie Deans will coach the Barbarians, who will play in South Africa for the first time and are seeking a fifth victory in nine matches against the record four-time world champions.

For the Springboks, they have chosen four uncapped players, including 150-kilogramme prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye, in the matchday 23.

A long-term injury to first-choice tighthead Frans Malherbe created an opening and coach Rassie Erasmus opted for Ntlabakanye from Johannesburg franchise the Lions in his starting line-up.

The other uncapped starter is Sharks flanker Vincent Tshituka, who was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and was a child when he moved to South Africa.

Hooker Marnus van der Merwe from Welsh outfit the Scarlets and tighthead prop Neethling Fouche are the uncapped duo who will start on the bench.

Japan-based lock Lood de Jager, ruled out of the triumphant 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign in France by illness, partners Jean Kleyn of Munster in the second row.

There is also a recall after a lengthy absence for Sale Sharks eighthman Jean-Luc du Preez, who joins Tshituka and captain Siya Kolisi in the back row.

"(They) have all slotted into our systems really well and have a good understanding of what we want to do in this match," Erasmus said of the new call-ups, who will remain uncapped as it is not an official Test match.

"It also presents us with a fantastic opportunity to see how they measure up against a handful of experienced players in the Barbarians team.

"This may not be an official Test match, but we are approaching it as such, and a good result will hopefully set us on course for an exciting season.

"Asenathi, Vincent, Neethling, and Marnus have all been impressive at training and for their respective franchises this season, and we hope to see them replicate those quality performances."

South Africa team to face Barbarians

Springboks (15-1): Aphelele Fassi; Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Kurt-Lee Arendse; Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Morne van den Berg; Jean-Luc du Preez, Vincent Tshituka, Siya Kolisi (capt); Lood de Jager, Jean Kleyn; Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche

Replacements: Marnus van der Merwe, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Neethling Fouche, Franco Mostert, Kwagga Smith, Cobus Reinach, Manie Libbok, Andre Esterhuizen

Barbarians squad

Forwards: Josh Beehre, Ricky Riccitelli, Hoskins Sotutu (all Blues), Cian Healy (Leinster), Will Collier (Castres), Hassane Kolingar (Racing 92), Paul Alo-Emile (Stade Francais), Camille Chat (Lyon), David Ribbans (Toulon), Ruben van Herdeen (Stormers), Peter O'Mahony (Munster), Sam Cane (Tokyo Sungoliath), Shannon Frizell (Toshiba), Lachlan Boshier (Wild Knights)

Backs: Melvyn Jaminet, Leicester Faingaʻanuku (both Toulon), Tawera Kerr Barlow (La Rochelle), Santiago Arata Perrone (Castres), Josh Jacomb (Chiefs), Peter Umaga-Jensen (Hurricanes), Mark Telea (Blues), Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (Highlanders), Joe Marchant (Stade Francais)

Share