Springbok assistant coach Deon Davids has issued a stark warning about underestimating the Barbarians ahead of their upcoming clash in Gqeberha this Saturday. Despite the Boks' resounding 54-7 victory over the Baa-Baas last year in Cape Town, Davids highlighted the perennial threat posed by a team known for its minimal preparation time but overflowing with world-class talent.
“With the Barbarians, you have to understand their background, the way their squad is put together, and you cannot underestimate them because they are a bunch of experienced players, many of them with X factor, so you don’t want them to get on a roll,” said Davids. The unique composition and spontaneous style of the Barbarians make them a wildcard, capable of toppling the best on their day.
"The Barbarians have a unique dynamic that goes back decades – they like to entertain, which is encouraged by clever coaches who pick players who can do just that."
The Barbarians, coached by the dynamic duo of Scott Robertson and Felipe Contepomi, are anticipated to embrace their traditional attacking gameplay. “Because they don’t have much time to prepare as a group, they stick to a style that has worked for them forever – they want to give the ball air, they want to create opportunities by a mixture of structure and attacking adventure,” Davids explained.
While the spotlight often shines on the flamboyant Barbarians, Davids reiterated that the primary focus for the Springboks is to gauge their own progress following an extensive preparation period. “It is important that we have balance and control in our game. We must transfer what we have been training into a match situation so we can see what works and what needs improvement,” he stressed.
The Springboks have been rigorously preparing in Johannesburg, with Davids citing continuity as a crucial factor for their decision to base their camp there before heading to the Eastern Cape. “We had a training camp here in Joburg and felt that we would continue our preparation for the games in a place where we have grown comfortable,” he noted. The focus in these camps has been on translating strategic discussions into actionable play on the field.
As the game day approaches, all eyes will be on how well the Springboks can implement their game plans against a team as unpredictable as the Barbarians. The clash promises not only to test the Boks' readiness but also to offer a spectacle of rugby’s rich, attacking traditions.