Rassie Erasmus is anticipating a sellout at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium when the Springboks open their season against Scott Robertson's Barbarians on June 20, with the venue's average attendance exceeding 95% of its 46,000 capacity.
Erasmus, who was born in nearby Despatch, made no secret of his enthusiasm for the venue. "I can't wait for the season to start and what better place than Gqeberha, where we've always enjoyed enormous support," he said. "We hope to see the stands packed out again this year when we welcome the BaaBaas."
The Boks arrive at the fixture with an unblemished record at the ground — eight wins and one draw from nine Tests — including last year's 45-0 demolition of Italy in front of 44,282 spectators.
A curtain-raiser between an SA "A" side and the Zimbabwe Sables will precede the main match, with Erasmus flagging it as a squad-depth exercise. Zimbabwe, who have qualified for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, provide a meaningful test for fringe players pushing for Springbok consideration.
Robertson's Barbarians squad will be assembled close to matchday in keeping with the fixture's tradition, with Barbarians president John Spencer confirming YesPlay as title sponsors and front-of-jersey partner for the match.
After the Barbarians fixture, the Boks' home programme continues with Tests against England, Scotland and Wales in the Nations Championship in July, followed by three matches against the All Blacks in the newly structured Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series.
Tickets for the Barbarians match start at R250 and are available exclusively at springboks.tmtickets.co.za.