Overview
- A young SA A side beat Zimbabwe 40-0 earlier in the day, giving match time to uncapped players and tying some to South Africa under eligibility rules.
- The Springboks then outscored the Barbarians 80-31 in a 17-try match at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, with the hosts pulling away late thanks to strong bench finishes.
- Captain Siya Kolisi praised the new players and the overall day but warned that missed tackles and off-loads allowed the Barbarians to fight back during a sloppy middle period.
- Wing Edwill van der Merwe was named man of the match after a hat-trick, while several debutants including Riley Norton and JJ Kotzé caught the coaches' eye.
- Coaching staff said the performances will shape selection decisions ahead of upcoming internationals, with final squads to be revisited once URC availability and injuries are clear