Rugby fever is rising in Gqeberha with just 60 days until the Springboks kick off their 2026 season against former All Blacks' coach Scott Robertson's star-studded Barbarians team.
The South African 'A' team will make its comeback on 20 June when they face Zimbabwe in a curtain-raiser to the Springboks' season opener against the Barbarians in Gqeberha.
The Springboks' full 2026 Test schedule has been confirmed, with the world champions set to kick off the season against the Barbarians in Gqeberha on Saturday, 20 June.
There are no fewer than six Springboks amongst the 17 South Africans set to do battle for the Barbarians against the All Blacks XV in London on Saturday.
The Springboks are bracing for a far tougher test against Italy than the one they faced against the Barbarians when the two teams meet at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus confirmed that around 50 players would have had game time after the opening four fixtures of the season.