Boks Make a Flying Start to the Season
The Boks kicked off their 2026 campaign in spectacular fashion, scoring 12 tries in an emphatic 80-31 victory over the Barbarians at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha.
A crowd of 26,398 witnessed an entertaining encounter as the Springboks crossed the whitewash six times in each half. Despite fielding an experimental side that included five debutants and two current Junior Boks, the hosts delivered a dominant performance.
The Barbarians, led by former All Black scrumhalf TJ Perenara, refused to back down and scored five tries of their own. However, the visitors could not match the intensity of the Boks after halftime.
Early Dominance from the Boks
The home side exploded into action during the opening stages of the match. Their powerful forward pack consistently won the gain line, creating space for the backs to attack.
Left wing Edwill van der Merwe was one of the main beneficiaries. He scored two simple tries after excellent work from the forwards. Loose forwards Jasper Wiese and Pieter-Steph du Toit also powered over for tries, while Junior Bok captain Riley Norton dotted down from close range.
The Boks took full advantage when the Barbarians were reduced to 13 players. Perenara received a yellow card for a dangerous tackle, while Miracle Faiilagi was also sent to the sin bin for a professional foul.
At that stage, the hosts surged into a commanding 35-7 lead.
Barbarians Fight Their Way Back
Although the match appeared to be slipping away, the Barbarians responded impressively.
Centre Virimi Vakatawa scored their first try in the 10th minute, but more points followed when the Boks temporarily lost scrumhalf Grant Williams to the sin bin.
Franco Molina crossed from a driving maul before Andrew Kellaway and Perenara finished off two well-worked attacking moves. Suddenly, the gap had narrowed from 28 points to just nine.
The visitors showed plenty of ambition with ball in hand and kept the crowd engaged throughout the first half.
However, Cheslin Kolbe restored order just before the break. Filling in at scrumhalf, he darted away from the base of an attacking scrum to score. His try gave the Boks a 40-26 halftime advantage.
Second-Half Control Seals the Win
The Boks quickly regained control after the restart.
Replacement hooker JJ Kotze scored from the back of a driving maul just seven minutes into the second half. Remarkably, the try came while the hosts were down to 14 men following Aphelele Fassi’s yellow card for a high tackle.
Van der Merwe was denied a hat-trick earlier in the move, but he eventually secured his third try 15 minutes later. A series of powerful carries, led by replacement No. 8 Evan Roos, laid the platform for the score.
Although Kellaway grabbed his second try for the Barbarians, the Boks continued to pile on the points.
Debutants Shine as Boks Finish Strong
One of the loudest cheers of the day greeted replacement scrumhalf Faf de Klerk’s try under the posts. The score followed excellent interplay between fellow replacements and debutants Paul de Villiers and Vusi Moyo.
Moyo then produced a superb long pass to Fassi, who sent Jesse Kriel over for the Boks’ 10th try.
There was still more to come. Andre Esterhuizen crashed through a defender to score beneath the crossbar, sending the crowd into raptures.
After the final siren sounded, replacement Zachary Porthen added the 12th and final try of the afternoon. Moyo converted to bring the curtain down on a memorable performance.
Kolbe Leads the Scoring
Kolbe enjoyed an outstanding all-round game. In addition to scoring a try, he landed nine conversions from 11 attempts to finish with 23 points.
Van der Merwe’s hat-trick and the impact of several debutants also highlighted the depth available to the Boks as they began their season in style.
Scorers
Springboks 80 (40)
Tries: Edwill van der Merwe (3), Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jasper Wiese, Riley Norton, Cheslin Kolbe, JJ Kotze, Faf de Klerk, Jesse Kriel, Andre Esterhuizen, Zachary Porthen.
Conversions: Cheslin Kolbe (9), Vusi Moyo.
Barbarians 31 (26)
Tries: Virimi Vakatawa, Franco Molina, Andrew Kellaway (2), TJ Perenara.
Conversions: Tomás Albornoz (3).
