Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick says the Barbarians’ unpredictability is just what the world champions need in preparation for what they’ll face later this season, reports DEVIN HERMANUS.
Saturday’s clash at Cape Town Stadium – the first between the teams in the Republic – launches South Africa’s challenging 14-match 2025 schedule, featuring Tests against Italy, Georgia, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, France, Ireland and Wales across three continents.
The Baa Baas side boasts global stars including All Blacks Mark Telea and Hoskins Sotutu, alongside Stormers lock Ruben van Heerden, creating exactly the uncertainty Stick wants the Boks to steel themselves this year.
“If you look at the X-factor around the team, they’ve got brilliant individuals playing… a guy like Telea and what they’re going to bring with Sotutu. You’ve also got Ruben from South Africa, who really understands how we operate,” Stick said during Friday’s media conference in Cape Town.
Van Heerden’s inclusion adds personal motivation after missing selection for Rassie Erasmus’ squad, despite earning recognition for his standout Vodacom URC campaign.
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“I know one thing for sure, he’ll be physically psyched up for this game, because he was so close to also making our squad,” Stick added. “I wish him good luck, and hope Ruben can do well tomorrow.”
The mystique of the Baa Baas excites Stick, as the Boks gear up for back-to-back home Tests against Italy from next week, a Rugby Championship title defence starting against Australia in August, and September’s blockbuster All Blacks Tests in Auckland and Wellington.
“If I look at the Barbarians and their squad, it’s actually what we need,” he said. “If you want to test your systems, it’s always easy for us to analyse [familiar opponents], because you know what you’re going to be facing against New Zealand, Australia…
“But we don’t know what to expect from these guys. They’re going to give us a tough challenge because we don’t want to coach, if I can put it this way, donkeys. When you operate with donkeys, you put on blinkers and that’s how they operate.
“When it comes to the Baa Baas, you’re going to be playing with guys that you don’t know what to expect, so our players will have to make sure that they make good decisions on the field, and they’ll be wise and scan around the field.”
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According to Stick, these dynamics will provide invaluable tests for their defence and game model. “When you talk about the conditions, and how you adapt to the conditions, the biggest challenge will always be the kicking game,” he noted.
“I doubt that Baa Baas will probably lean towards that side, they’re going to try to make sure that they keep the ball in play, but I think the biggest challenge will be, if they do lean towards the contestable kicking game.
“Hopefully we can get our systems into place, and the challenges the Baa Baas will put on us will probably be what we’re going to face later on in the season.
“If you think about the teams we’re going to play against… the All Blacks, they’ve got a lot of X-factor around their team; you talk about the end-of-year tour, we’re going to play against France, and ball-in-play time is going to be key against them.”
Cape Town’s weather adds another dimension, with heavy rainfall predicted for Saturday. Despite the challenging forecast, Stick is optimistic: “I don’t think it can get worse than what we experienced on Wednesday [during training]. That’s one thing about Cape Town weather – you don’t get that peaceful winter season.
“We are well prepared for any conditions but according to our weathermen, I think we might dry up closer to kick-off time and we can give the people of Cape Town a good show.”
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
