Debuts, returns and surprises as Erasmus names Springbok team to face Barbarians

While the matchday 23 features a host of established Springbok stars, true to form for the Bok coach, it also includes several first-time call-ups and a few surprise selections.

Junior Bok captain Riley Norton and prop Carlu Sadie are set to make their debut in the starting line-up, while Lions star Quan Horn is a surprise selection at flyhalf. 

There is further excitement on the bench, where Paul de Villiers, JJ Kotze and Vusi Moyo are all in line to make their Springbok debuts.

Meanwhile, familiar faces like Aphelele Fassi, Ox Nche and Pieter-Steph du Toit make welcome returns from injury, bolstering the squad for the opening clash, while key figures like Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Siya Kolisi, Grant Williams and Franco Mostert add plenty of experience and proven quality to the mix.

"We said from the outset that we wanted to give a few players returning from injury and others who have been playing overseas game time in this match, while at the same time exposing some of the younger players on our radar to top-class international rugby, and we believe this squad reflects those objectives," said Erasmus.

"We have been very impressed with the way the new players have jumped straight into action and grasped our systems and structures, and we are excited to see what they can do alongside some of our regular Springbok players, as we build for what will be a challenging season with the Nations Championship and Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series approaching."

Of the Barbarians, Erasmus said: "They have a group of exciting and experienced players in their squad, and they'll come out guns blazing and try to produce an entertaining style of rugby, which will serve as a good test for us. They will challenge us, but this will be a good hit-out for our players to get back into top-level international rugby, with the England match a little over two weeks ago.

Meanwhile, Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick will also take charge of an SA 'A' team, who will take to the field against Zimbabwe at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium at 12h00 on Saturday, as a curtain-raiser for the clash between the Springboks and Barbarians at 15h00.

Stick's team will have the luxury of relying on a group of senior players such as Lukhanyo Am, Boan Venter, Phepsi Buthelezi, Emmanuel Tshituka and Neethling Fouche, who will be supported by a dynamic group of youngsters, including Luan Giliomee, Jaco Williams, and Zekhethelo Siyaya in the back three.

The exciting young Markus Muller will partner up with Am in the midfield, with halfbacks Yaqeen Ahmed and Haashim Pead dictating play at halfback behind a strong pack of forwards sure to give the Zimbabweans a stern test.

"I'm looking forward to seeing what this group of players can do against a determined Zimbabwe outfit, who have qualified for the 2027 World Cup, and will undoubtedly use this opportunity to test themselves against us as they prepare for the international spectacle," said Stick.

Springboks - 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Quan Horn, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Riley Norton, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Andre-Hugo Venter, 1 Ox Nche.

Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Ben-Jason Dixon, 20 Paul de Villiers, 21 Evan Roos, 22 Faf de Klerk, 23 Vusi Moyo.

SA 'A' - 15 Luan Giliomee, 14 Jaco Williams, 13 Markus Muller, 12 Lukhanyo Am, 11 Zekhethelo Siyaya, 10 Yaqeen Ahmed, 9 Haashim Pead, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Bathobele Hlekani, 6 Emmanuel Tshituka, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Vincent Tshituka (captain), 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Siphosethu Mnebelele, 1 Boan Venter.

Replacements: 16 Liam van Wyk, 17 Oliver Reid, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Adre Smith, 20 Siba Mahashe, 21 Nico Steyn, 22 Imad Khan, 23 Jurenzo Julius.