The Barbarians have begun naming their squad for the June 20 fixture against the Springboks in Gqeberha, with Duhan van der Merwe and TJ Perenara among the headline recruits confirmed so far.
Van der Merwe, Scotland's all-time leading try scorer, faces the prospect of meeting South Africa twice in quick succession — first in the Barbarians jersey and potentially again when Scotland tour in July. His Edinburgh teammate D'arcy Rae has also been signed up for the fixture, with both clearances arranged in conjunction with Scotland coach Gregor Townsend to ensure the pair get playing time ahead of the July Tests.
Perenara, now based in Japan, will feature in both the Gqeberha match and the Barbarians' subsequent fixture against Wales.
Argentine flyhalf Tomás Albano, who tormented Springbok defences during his Benetton years and now plays in the Top 14, is also confirmed for the Bok game, as is Wallabies back Andrew Kellaway and Uruguay scrumhalf Santiago Arata.
England prop Kyle Sinckler and Scotland's Liam McConnell have been announced for the Barbarians' squad but are earmarked for the Wales fixture only and will not feature against the Springboks.
The Gqeberha match opens South Africa's 2026 international season.