Warrick Gelant, the dynamic Stormers fullback, is set to face his Springbok comrades this Saturday in Gqeberha, as he proudly dons the Barbarians' iconic black-and-white kit. With 11 Test caps and a hiatus from Bok duties since 2022, Gelant stands out as the sole South African enlisted in the Barbarians for this exhilarating non-cap match at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Gelant couldn't hide his excitement about joining the legendary rugby club. "It’s special. It’s every player’s dream to play in a Barbarians team, playing with guys you play against or see on TV," he expressed.
"The Barbarians is about implementing the fundamentals of the game, getting that enjoyment back and doing all the things that made you fall in love with the game."
He added, "It’s about having fun and getting to know world-class players from all over the world."Reuniting with Scotland wing Duhan van der Merwe, a childhood friend and former teammate from Hoërskool Outeniqua and the Bulls, adds a layer of nostalgia to the event. "I played with Duhan in school and to come here together more than 10 years later is amazing," Gelant noted. Despite their diverging paths, with van der Merwe venturing into Scottish rugby, their reunion in the Barbarians squad is nothing short of special for Gelant.
Looking ahead to the clash against the Springboks, Gelant anticipates a formidable challenge. "It’s going to be a nice occasion. It’s against my teammates and guys who I know well. They are the best in the world so going up against them is going to be a big challenge for all of us. It’s not often that you can play against the world champs if you are South African," he said, acknowledging the caliber of his opponents.
The Barbarians are gearing up to deliver a competitive match, despite their brief preparation period.
"We want to give our best punches that we put together and test them just as much as they are going to test us,"
Gelant remarked, emphasizing the pride and professionalism within the Barbarians team.Gelant is also thrilled about the opportunity to work with coaches like Scott Robertson and Felipe Contepomi. He shared his admiration for Contepomi, "Felipe is a player who I used to watch. He’s one of a few Argentinians that you could relate to in the way he played the game at 10 and 12." About Robertson, he added, "Razor also, he is open, he is so down to earth and makes himself so accessible. You learn open-fire ideas when you are on the road. You share ideas and that’s something I can take back myself but also to the Stormers and the younger guys. It’s IP you can share with the world. It’s so special."
As Gelant prepares for his Barbarians debut, he is determined to make the experience unforgettable. "We just focus on the way we want to play rugby and we want to express ourselves in a way that’s aligned with the Barbarians. It’s my first time, so I want to make it memorable," he concluded.