The Springboks could once again turn to the Barbarians as the perfect early-season tune-up in 2026.
According to Rapport, a clash between the famous invitation side and the world champions will kick-start South Africa’s 2026 campaign.
The match is set to take place at Twickenham, serving as a high-quality warm-up ahead of the Boks’ much-anticipated Test against England at Ellis Park – a fixture already shaping up as one of the standouts on next year’s international calendar.
If confirmed, the Barbarians showdown would be especially valuable for the Boks’ Japan-based contingent, many of whom finish their club commitments as early as mid-May and face a lengthy gap before international rugby resumes. A high-intensity hit-out against the Baa-Baas would offer the ideal platform to regain match sharpness.
It’s a formula that Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has trusted before. Just last month, the Boks used a Test against Japan at Wembley to prepare overseas-based players ahead of major Tests against France and Ireland.
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The Boks also opened their 2025 international season with a match against the Barbarians in Cape Town. It was the ninth meeting between the sides, but the first time the Baa-Baas had played on South African soil.
Springboks’ confirmed 2026 fixtures
Nations Championship
4 July: vs England, Ellis Park, Johannesburg
11 July: vs Scotland, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
18 July: vs Wales, Kings Park, Durban
Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry
22 August: vs All Blacks, Ellis Park, Johannesburg
29 August: vs All Blacks, Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
5 September: vs All Blacks, FNB Stadium, Johannesburg
12 September: vs All Blacks, TBC
Nations Championship
6-8 November: vs Italy, TBC
13-15 November: vs France, TBC
21 November: vs Ireland, TBC
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
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