Former All Black mentor Scott “Razor” Robertson and Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus will renew their rivalry as coaches in an exciting 2026 season opener when the Boks face a star-studded Barbarians outfit at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha.
The world champions renew acquaintance with the famous BaaBaas, in a fixture that has become a celebration of rugby’s artistry. Last year, the spectacle which will now be called the YesPlay Cup, drew more than 45,000 fans to Cape Town, and another packed house is expected at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Before the main event, supporters will be treated to a curtain-raiser featuring SA ‘A’ against Zimbabwe, offering a glimpse into the country’s next wave of talent.
With the SANZAAR Under-20 Rugby Championship also kicking off in the city, Gqeberha is set to hum like a stadium under full voice.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus is relishing the return to a venue that has long embraced the green and gold.
“I can’t wait for the season to start and what better place than Gqeberha, where we’ve always enjoyed enormous support,” said Erasmus in a SA Rugby media release on Tuesday.
“We’ve been told that the average attendance at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is over 95% of stadium capacity and we hope to see the stands packed out again this year when we welcome the BaaBaas to the game.
“They are coming to South Africa with an experienced and esteemed coaching team, and we know they will provide us with a proper test.
“At the same time, we’re very excited to see the rest of our wider squad in action in a proper match when the SA ‘A’ team take on the Sables from Zimbabwe. They have qualified for the 2027 Rugby World Cup and I’m sure it will be a great match.”
History leans heavily in the Springboks’ favour at this venue. The side has never tasted defeat in Gqeberha, winning eight of nine Tests, with one ending level. The last outing in the Bay saw Italy swept aside in a commanding display that left the scoreboard glowing.
Rassie Erasmus: “I can’t wait for the season to start and what better place than Gqeberha, where we’ve always enjoyed enormous support” – more here: https://t.co/sfhbM5kb59 👍
Tickets here: https://t.co/uBngZcGS7g#Springboks @Barbarian_FC #ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/fHzb59SgCi
— Springboks (@Springboks) April 21, 2026
Barbarian F.C. president John Spencer underlined the significance of the occasion and the partnership behind it.
“Barbarian F.C prides itself on its values and ethos and it is important our partners embody the same. We are delighted to be working and partnering with YesPlay when we take on the Springboks this June.
“YesPlay are a proud South African company and in addition to the title sponsorship of the match we are proud to have them on the front of our jersey for this exciting international clash.”
Barbarians fixtures carry a mystique that few matches can match. Their teams are stitched together from across the rugby world, a patchwork of flair and instinct, often producing rugby that flows like an unstructured counterattack from deep within their own half. Selection is confirmed close to matchday, adding intrigue as fans wait to see which stars will take the field.
Following the Barbarians encounter, the Springboks’ season opens further with a demanding schedule. England, Scotland and Wales will tour South Africa in the new Nations Championship in July, before the All Blacks arrive for a three-Test series in what is being billed as rugby’s greatest rivalry, set to be staged every four years.
For now, the focus is firmly on the Bay, where the Springboks will look to set the tone for the season. Like a flyhalf shaping play under pressure, they aim to strike early, dictate tempo and give their supporters a performance worthy of the stage.
Tickets are exclusively available at springboks.tmtickets.co.za.
For hospitality bookings, contact SAIL: bookings@sail.co.za or 082 805 3150.
