Springboks boss Rassie Erasmus is expecting a stern challenge from the Scott Robertson-coached Barbarians when the teams clash this weekend.
South Africa take on the invitational team on Saturday in preparation for the Nations Championship when they start off against England in July.
Erasmus has named a number of experienced players in his side and they will be expected to put a big score on their opponents, who have brought players in from around the world to take part in this encounter.
Rassie Erasmus expects an intense match
It is a strong-looking Baa-Baas squad on paper but it is another thing to get them to gel after just a few training sessions.
However, even when taking that into account and the various socials the Barbarians have become renowned for, the Boks head coach still believes that they will bring intensity and physicality on the pitch.
“I coached the Barbarians in either 2018 or 2019 and we were playing Argentina. Although it’s a fun week obviously – there’s the whole Barbarians spirit and I’m sure they will do all of those things this week – when you go onto the field… I remember playing for the golden oldies in Bermuda against New Zealand and it became such an intense game,” he told reporters.
Erasmus did admit that it will be a significant challenge for the Baa-Baas to get up to speed quickly, but believes that Robertson and Felipe Contepomi will have them well prepared.
Scott Robertson influence
It is the New Zealander’s first coaching role since being unceremoniously sacked as All Blacks in January.
The 51-year-old was dumped despite having a 74 per cent win record, which is better than every person to lead the Springboks in the professional era apart from Erasmus, who only just edges him on 75 per cent.
“The Barbarians game is the same every time. Yes, it’s going to be open, running rugby and flamboyant, and the weird things that they will do, but most of the players that are normally picked for the Barbarians, you can’t coach a lot of things into them,” the current Boks head honcho said.
“To get defensive systems, lineout systems, mauling systems and those kind of things in place, [it’s difficult].
“They’re great coaches, we all know they’re great coaches. If you compare Razor’s winning record with the South African coaches in the past, it would probably be second or third, so you see he’s a great coach. He’s got a great win percentage.
“With Contepomi, he’s a really good guy and the way they’re going to put the team together, they want to win this game, which is awesome.
“Those players will be hell of competitors and they will take it personally. One bad game where you do some stupid things and your reputation is gone, and none of those guys [will do that]. They’re all proud enough and the coaches are awesome guys.
“I guess we’re in for a big one.”