Asenathi Ntlabakanye (prop) and Vincent Tshituka (flanker) have both been named in a relatively experienced starting lineup while Marnus van der Merwe (hooker) and Neethling Fouche (prop) will feature alongside a few Rugby World Cup-winners and seasoned campaigners on the replacements bench.

Another notable inclusion in the starting team was Lood de Jager, who will partner up with Jean Kleyn in the engine room. The experienced lock is back for his first Test since the Springboks’ 2023 Castle Lager Rugby Championship clash against the All Blacks in New Zealand, which was his only Test in the last two seasons following a string of injuries.

Players from the Vodacom Bulls, as well as RG Snyman (lock) and Handre Pollard (flyhalf), only joined the squad last week following their involvement in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship and Gallagher Premiership Finals. As a result, only Vodacom Bulls utility forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been included in the match-23 from this group of players.

The back three will be made up of Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse, while double Rugby World Cup-winning centres Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel will guard the midfield. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Morné van den Berg will dictate play at halfback.

Erasmus opted for a loose trio of Jean-Luc du Preez, Tshituka, and captain Siya Kolisi, while Franco Mostert and Kwagga Smith will join up with Van der Merwe, Wessels, and Fouche as the replacement forwards in a split of five forwards and three backs – Cobus Reinach, Manie Libbok, and André Esterhuizen – on the bench.

Erasmus was also pleased to welcome De Jager back after an extended stint on the sidelines.

Springbok team to face the Barbarians in Cape Town:

 15 Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 11 caps, 35 points (7t)
 14 Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath) – 40 caps, 111 points (18t, 3c, 5p)
 13 Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) – 79 caps, 90 points (18t)
 12 Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) – 87 caps, 55 points (11t)
 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls) – 24 caps, 90 points (18t)
 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers) – 8 caps, 52 points (14c, 8p)
 9 Morne van den Berg (Emirates Lions) – 2 caps, 0 points
 8 Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks) – 14 caps 10 points (2t)
 7 Vincent Tshituka (Hollywoodbets Sharks) - uncapped
 6 Siya Kolisi (captain, Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 92 caps, 60 points (12t)
 5 Lood de Jager (Wild Knights) – 66 caps, 25 points (5t)
 4 Jean Kleyn (Munster) – 7 caps, 0 points
 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Emirates Lions) – uncapped
 2 Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 76 caps, 105 points (21t)
 1 Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 39 caps, 0 points

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger cg