Stormers coach John Dobson will join Bristol’s Pat Lam in leading the Barbarians against the All Blacks XV at the Brentford Community Stadium on 1 November.
It will be Dobson’s first time in charge of the invitational side, adding to a career that already includes steering the Stormers to the inaugural Vodacom URC title in 2021-22.
For Lam, it is a return to familiar territory. The former Samoa international played for the Barbarians six times before coaching them to victories over England in 2018 and 2019.
Barbarians president John Spencer described the duo as coaches who “embody everything the Barbarians stand for, innovation, attacking intent, and a passion for bringing players together from around the world.”
Dobson said the opportunity carried personal significance, recalling how his father showed him footage of the Barbarians’ famous 1973 victory over New Zealand.
“In South Africa, the Barbarians have always represented the most beautiful way to play rugby,” he explained. “To now be part of that mystique is very special.”
He added that working with Lam was another motivating factor.
“I’ve always admired how his teams play, from Connacht to Bristol. We share a belief in entertaining rugby, so the partnership makes sense.”
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Lam echoed those sentiments, noting the challenge of quickly uniting a group of players drawn from around the world.
“That’s the essence of the Barbarians,” he said. “It’s about skill, trust, and expression. I’m looking forward to doing that alongside John.”
This will be just the second meeting between the Barbarians and the All Blacks XV, following their contest in London in 2022, which the invitational team won 35-31.
It finished 3⃣5⃣ – 3⃣1⃣ to the #Baabaas back in 2022
pic.twitter.com/YjjjnpnBiO
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) August 6, 2025
Photo: Tyler Miller/Sportsfile via Getty Images
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