The Springboks launched their 2026 international season with an 80-31 win over the Barbarians at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday, running in 12 tries in a match that produced a remarkable 10-try first half from the two sides combined.
Left wing Edwill van der Merwe claimed a hat-trick, scoring twice before the break and adding a third in the second half. Cheslin Kolbe converted Van der Merwe's opening score from the touchline, with flyhalf Quan Horn — operating in the position for the Springboks — also contributing with a neat touch pass in the build-up to Pieter-Steph du Toit's try. Jasper Wiese crossed from a lineout, and 20-year-old lock Riley Norton marked his debut with a try on a day he spent the full 80 minutes on the field.
The Barbarians were far more competitive than the side that conceded 54 points in Cape Town at the same stage of last season. Argentina flyhalf Tomas Albornoz, No 8 Miracle Fai'ilagi, centres Alex Nankivell and Virmi Vakatawa, and captain TJ Perenara all caused early problems for the Bok defence, with Albornoz levelling at 7-all after nine minutes.
The complexion of the first half changed significantly when Perenara was yellow-carded for a high tackle and Fai'ilagi followed him shortly after for interfering with the ball at the base of a scrum, leaving the Barbarians with 13 men. The Springboks exploited the numerical advantage to score three tries in quick succession, moving 35-7 ahead before their opponents' numbers were restored.
The second half was less frenetic until a late 10-minute burst saw the Boks match their first-half tally of 40 points, bringing the final margin to 49 points.