Springboks 80–31 Barbarians — Match Recap | Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha (20 June 2026)

• South Africa ran in 12 tries, producing an attacking masterclass that overwhelmed the visitors despite a competitive first half. The Boks led 40–26 at the break before tightening their defence and dominating the second half. ^{springboks.rugby}

Match Statistics

Springboks Scorers

The Springboks crossed the line 12 times, with several players scoring doubles in a free-flowing attacking display. Standout wing Edwill van der Merwe was among the stars of the match as South Africa repeatedly exposed space out wide. ^florugby.com

Tries

• Edwill van der Merwe (2)
• Kurt-Lee Arendse (2)
• Canan Moodie
• Ethan Hooker
• Vincent Tshituka
• Jan-Hendrik Wessels
• Malcolm Marx
• Cobus Reinach
• Andre Esterhuizen
• Additional late score by the replacements unit

Conversions

• Multiple successful conversions by the Springbok kickers contributed to the 80-point haul. ^florugby.com

Barbarians Scorers

The Barbarians showed their trademark attacking flair and scored five tries, particularly in an entertaining first half, but struggled to contain the Springboks' physicality and pace. ^{springboks.com}

Match Summary

The opening 40 minutes produced a festival of attacking rugby, with the teams combining for 66 points before halftime. The Barbarians threatened with their expansive style and managed four first-half tries, but the Springboks consistently answered through powerful forward play and clinical finishing out wide. ^{springboks.rugby}

After the break, South Africa shifted up another gear. Their scrum and maul generated momentum, while quick ball allowed the backs to exploit gaps repeatedly. The Springboks scored six more tries in the second half while restricting the Barbarians to just one further score, eventually reaching the 80-point mark. ^{springboks.rugby}

The victory marked an emphatic start to the Springboks' 2026 campaign and delighted the Gqeberha crowd with one of the highest-scoring performances in recent Springbok history. ^{springboks.rugby}

Also Read: Springboks Preparations

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