Warrick Gelant will be given the platform to display his full repertoire of counter-attacking skills when the Barbarians face the Springboks on Saturday, lining up in a cosmopolitan XV captained by former All Black scrumhalf TJ Perenara.
The Stormers fullback, who has scored three tries in 10 Test appearances for South Africa, typifies the Barbarians' spirit of adventure. His appetite for risk and willingness to chance his arm have at times limited his opportunities in a Springbok system that prioritises structure, but the invitational side's mandate for flamboyant rugby could allow Gelant to showcase the tricks that have made him a standout at franchise level.
Multinational selection
The starting XV features players from eight nations, with four New Zealanders, three Argentinians, two Scots and representatives from England, Wales, Australia, France and South Africa. Among the better-known names are Wallaby Andrew Kellaway, British and Irish Lion Duhan van der Merwe, Argentina flyhalf Tomos Albornoz and former French international centre Virmi Vakatawa, currently with Fiji Drua. In the pack, Pumas flanker Guido Petti will anchor a forward unit tasked with creating a platform against a Springbok side expected to field significant experience.
Rassie Erasmus, who coached the Barbarians himself against Argentina in 2018 or 2019, warned that the invitational team would bring intensity despite limited preparation time. The Springbok head coach acknowledged the challenge of gelling after only a few training sessions but backed Scott Robertson and Felipe Contepomi to have the side ready for physical contest. Robertson, sacked as All Blacks head coach in January despite a 74 per cent win record, takes charge of the Baa-Baas in his first coaching role since leaving New Zealand.
Preparation for Nations Championship
The fixture serves as South Africa's final warm-up before the Nations Championship kicks off with a July meeting against England. Erasmus has named a number of experienced players in his matchday squad, and the Boks will be expected to impose themselves on a Barbarians side that, while stacked with X-factor, lacks the cohesion of a settled international outfit. For Gelant, the occasion offers a rare chance to remind selectors of his capabilities in an environment that rewards precisely the kind of instinctive play that has defined his career.