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CAPE TOWN – The Springboks are gearing up for an intense and entertaining showdown as they face the Barbarians in their season-opening fixture at DHL Stadium this Saturday. With a blend of seasoned internationals and dynamic young talent, both sides are set to deliver a match brimming with flair, physicality, and purpose.
Speaking ahead of the much-anticipated encounter, Springbok stars Aphelele Fassi and Jean-Luc du Preez opened up about their preparations, expectations, and the mindset required to take on a side known for its flamboyant and expansive style of play.
Fullback Aphelele Fassi emphasized that, despite the friendly nature of a Barbarians match, the Springbok squad is preparing with the seriousness of a Test match.
“It will be a Test-match level approach, that’s what it’s been the whole week,” Fassi said. “The freedom that the coaches give us is immense, and I’ll focus on what I have to deliver on Saturday within the structure of the team.”
Fassi also highlighted the value of playing alongside world-class players like Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse, whose creativity and experience help elevate his own performance.
“It’s fantastic to play with those two players. They’re world-class,” he said. “I learn a lot from them in terms of communication and understanding what they need. Building that relationship has been great, and I’m just excited to see what we can deliver on Saturday.”
Weather Conditions Unlikely to Disrupt Springboks Game Plan
Despite forecasts of wet conditions in Cape Town, Fassi insisted that the Springboks will not deviate from their physical game plan.
“For us, it’s not different to how we’re approaching the game. Maybe for them [the Barbarians] it’s a bit different because they’re an entertaining team, and they’ll want to put on a show for the Cape Town fans,” he explained. “But we’re going to implement our physical game and play the way we want to play. The weather doesn’t really play a role for us.”
For Jean-Luc du Preez, the match against the Barbarians marks a special moment as he returns to the green and gold after several years of being in and out of the national setup.
“The Springboks were always in the back of my mind,” said the powerful loose forward. “I always told myself to play well at club level, and hopefully something would come from that. I’m delighted to be given this opportunity again.”
Du Preez emphasized the significance of this match not just as a spectacle, but as a chance for players—especially those outside the current core of the national squad—to make a statement.
“As Fassi said, the Barbarians are an expansive team and love to entertain,” Du Preez explained. “But players like Shannon Frizell, Sam Cane, and those boys will come hard. They’ll want to prove themselves against the Boks, and that’s where we’ll need to front up on Saturday.”
With several New Zealand players named in the Barbarians squad, Du Preez expects the clash to carry added emotional weight following South Africa’s narrow victory over the All Blacks in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final.
“I definitely think that result will be in the back of their minds,” Du Preez noted. “Anytime you play against the Springboks, you’re up for it, but this adds extra spice. They’ll want to make a statement.”
Du Preez believes the physical battle will be central to the outcome and expects the Springboks to match the Barbarians’ flair with traditional South African power and discipline.
While the Barbarians are traditionally known for entertaining rugby and creative flair, both Fassi and Du Preez made it clear that this game means much more than just fanfare. It’s a stage for individuals to shine and a dress rehearsal for bigger Test campaigns to come.
Springboks “For me, coming in and out of the Boks setup has been tough over the past few years,” Du Preez admitted. “I’m just trying to use this opportunity as best as I can, stick to my role, and do my job on Saturday. That’s all I’m focused on.”
As the Springboks prepare to host the Barbarians in what promises to be a thrilling clash at DHL Stadium, fans can expect a high-intensity encounter with Test-match quality. For players like Fassi and Du Preez, it’s more than just a match—it’s a chance to prove themselves on the international stage and set the tone for the season ahead.
Whether it’s flair from the Barbarians or fire from the Boks, Saturday’s showdown in Cape Town is set to deliver a rugby spectacle worthy of global attention.
Source- EWN
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