South Africans scored all three of the Barbarians tries in Saturday’s match against the All Blacks XV in Brentford.
The invitational team looked on track for a memorable win when leading 19-0, but the Kiwis struck just before half time and then scored four second-half tries to claim a 33-19 victory.
The Pat Lam and John Dobson-coached Baa-Baas – with 17 South Africans in the match 23 – made a perfect start when Bok tighthead prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye charged over from close range.
No 8 Evan Roos scored in similar fashion at the end of the first quarter and when hooker Bongi Mbonambi burst away from a lineout maul and flyhalf Rob du Preez slotted another conversion, the Barbarians led 19-0.
The All Blacks XV got back into the game when winger Caleb Tangitau dotted down late in the first half and when scrumhalf Xavier Roe scored early in the second, the deficit was reduced to seven.
At the end of the third quarter, Tangitau raced away for an interception try and Josh Jacomb’s conversion levelled the scores.
Replacement scrumhalf Kyle Preston then gave them the lead, before centre David Havili put the result beyond doubt.
BARBARIANS – Tries: Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Evan Roos, Bongi Mbonambi. Conversion: Rob du Preez (2).
ALL BLACKS XV – Tries: Caleb Tangitau (2), Xavier Roem, Kyle Preston, David Havili. Conversions: Josh Jacomb (4).
Photo: Steve Bardens/Getty Images
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