South Africa XV (non-cap) 54 Barbarians 7

Match Events

Report

Barbarians F.C suffered a 54-7 defeat to World Champions South Africa in Cape Town on Saturday in the Qatar Airways Cup.

The Springboks kicked off their international season with victory at the DHL Stadium in the first meeting between the two sides on South African soil.

Whilst the result wasn’t to the Barbarians favour, the match marked the final professional outings for Ireland legends Peter O’Mahony and Cian Healy.  O’Mahony, who skippered the side,drew the curtain on a career which saw him make 114 appearances for Ireland andtour with the British & Irish Lions in 2017.  His fellow Irishman Healy, who racked up an incredible 137 tests for country, also called time on his career in Cape Town – winning a couple of scrum penalties against the Boks on the way!

In very wet conditions the hosts started strongly, controlling the early territory and possession. Malcolm Marx and Cheslin Kolbe opened the scoring with early tries, South Africa extending their lead before the break with a pick and go from Vincent Tshituka.

The Barbarians showed glimpses of their promise and adventure but the power and control from the two-time World Champions reduced the opportunities for Robbie Deans’ side.

Second half tries from Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Jesse Kriel, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Lood de Jager extended South Africa’s lead.

The BaaBaas adventure whilst limited in the conditions was duly rewarded when Melvyn Jaminet took an impressive no-look pass from Leicester Fainga’anuku, and dummied his way to line for a deserved score.

Tshituka and Damian de Allende rounded off the scoring for the Springboks.