South Africa v Barbarians live: Result and reaction as Springboks kick off international year with rout
South Africa 54-7 Barbarians: The world champions hammered the invitational side to kick-start their year of international rugby in style
South Africa kicked off their 2025 in style as they thrashed the Barbarians 54-7 in the first international of the year in Cape Town.
Rassie Erasmus named a strong Springboks side, sprinkling in a few new faces among a spine of the team containing plenty of double World Cup-winners, and they ran in eight tries across the 80 minutes – turning a 19-0 half-time lead into a comfortable triumph.
Vincent Tshituka, on his first appearance in the famous green and gold jersey, went over twice from close range, while Malcolm Marx, Cheslin Kolbe, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Lood de Jager and Damian de Allende also scored as the Boks continued to build on their recent success.
The arrival of the Baa-Baas always brings a festival feel to proceedings and Irish icons Peter O’Mahony and Cian Healy both made their final bows after announcing retirements, while former All Blacks captain Sam Cane did similarly and Melvyn Jaminet’s score at least ensured they wouldn’t leave completely empty-handed.
Relive all the action from DHL Stadium with our live blog below:
FT: South Africa 54-7 Barbarians
The Boks move on to bigger challenges but did what they needed to in Cape Town
FT: South Africa 54-7 Barbarians
Job done for the Springboks and on they march into the meat of 2025
FULL-TIME! South Africa 54-7 Barbarians
It’s all over! An easy win for the Springboks in the end - bigger challenges to come but a decent runout in their first international match of the year.
It’s a first win for them over the Baa-Baas since 2000 though, so good to end that quarter-century long drought.
Lots of good things but also some work-ons as they build to the Rugby Championship.
The Baa-Baas had some fun but were stifled by a well-drilled Boks defence and set-piece
TRY! South Africa 54-7 Barbarians (Damian de Allende, 80 mins)
A final try for the Boks. They turn the ball over, work it patiently and then go to the left.
Through the hands, makes it to Damian de Allende and he sprints in down the left flank. Good conversion from out wide by Libbok
South Africa 47-7 Barbarians, 80 mins
Lineout in the 22 for South Africa as they looks to finish with a flourish and clear 50 points.
The Boks maul stalls so they’re forced to play it. Keeping it tight with the forwards sniping. And a turnover! Boshier in over the ball for the Baa-Baas and they stop their hosts.
One last chance to run it from their own half
South Africa 47-7 Barbarians, 78 mins
Springboks win a turnover on halfway. Time for one more try for the hosts to delight the crowd?
South Africa 47-7 Barbarians, 75 mins
Conditions have worsened here and the rain is coming down hard. The ball is slick, handling is tough so this game is getting scrappy.
South Africa 47-7 Barbarians, 72 mins
Things have broken down now. A lot of counter-attacking and loose ball.
Springboks pick up another one, Kolbe races forward and pops out to Libbok but Jaminet brilliantly covers to tackle him into touch.
TRY! South Africa 47-7 Barbarians (Vincent Tshituka, 70 mins)
Kolbe with the power on the carry! Sits down Ricky Riccitelli with a brutal hand-off. Springboks now just a metre out.
And Vincent Tshituka has a second try. Powers over from close range. Easy conversion for Libbok.
South Africa 40-7 Barbarians, 68 mins
Oh Cheslin Kolbe - stop it! Arata tries to go massive from a penalty with his kick to touch but it’s well kept in deep in their own 22 by Libbok and Kolbe for the Boks.
Kolbe then goes on a darting run, slipping past one, two, three defenders down the right flank. The quickest of feet. He then kicks down the line and is taken out late, with the penalty taking the Boks into the 22 for a lineout
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