Planet Rugby's player ratings from the Barbarians' 33-31 loss to Wales at Twickenham paint a picture of a side that had plenty of individual brilliance but too many costly errors in the heat. Faf de Klerk, captaining the Baa-Baas, earned an 8 — described as a 'livewire' despite visibly running on fumes from the 25-minute mark — with his quick-tap game and fringe threats driving the best of the Barbarians' attacking moments. Alex Nankivell and Nathan Hughes also rated highly, while Vincent Koch reportedly dominated the scrum after the Boks had dismantled that same Barbarians pack a week earlier. The headline moment belonged to the replacements: George North, in his final appearance before retirement, scored twice off the bench in what the ratings piece calls a 'fitting' send-off. The turning points, however, came from individual errors — a Ward knock-on from a quick-tap, Hughes held up over the line, and a Paul Alo-Emile lapse at the ruck gifting Wales a score.
Faf stars but Baa-Baas fall short as North bows out in style
Faf de Klerk was the standout with an 8-rating as Barbarians captain, driving their best moments despite looking spent early, but a string of individual errors — and too many promising positions squandered — cost the Baa-Baas in a 33-31 defeat. George North's two-try farewell off the bench was the emotional highlight.
De Klerk and Koch join Barbarians for Wales clash after Nations Championship snub
Faf de Klerk and Vincent Koch, both left out of the Springbok Nations Championship squad, have joined the Barbarians for their match against Wales at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
Contepomi: Boks have cracked the balance — and that's what makes them dangerous
Contepomi argues the Boks' real danger lies in their evolving balance between forward dominance and expansive attack — and flags sustained possession as the best way to exploit their defence.
Rassie Erasmus & Mzwandile Stick | Springbok and SA 'A' team announcements | 16 June 2026
Rassie Erasmus and Mzwandile Stick announced the Springbok and SA 'A' teams on Tuesday, ahead of Saturday's season-opening double-header in Gqeberha, when the Boks will face the Barbarians at 15h00, preceded by the 'A' team's match against
Gelant not treating Barbarians clash as Bok audition
Warrick Gelant, the only Springbok in the Barbarians squad for the June 20 clash against South Africa in Gqeberha, says he will not treat the match as a Bok trial, insisting the experience with the invitational side stands on its own merits.
Buthelezi and Sadie called up as Springbok camp gets underway in Johannesburg
Phepsi Buthelezi and Carlu Sadie have joined the Springbok training squad in Johannesburg, with on-field preparations underway ahead of the 20 June double-header in Gqeberha. The Nations Championship squad is set to be announced on 21 June.