Springbok loose forward Jean-Luc du Preez and fullback Aphelele Fassi are relishing the chance to unleash against the Barbarians in the Qatar Airways Cup in Cape Town on Saturday.
Springboks scrum specialist Daan Human has put new Bok props Asenathi Ntlabakanye and Jan-Hendrik Wessels through the paces at his farm in Bloemfontein.
The Stormers have further bolstered their squad ahead of the 2025/26 season with the big-name signing of Ruan Ackermann as the flanker returns to South Africa after his eight-year stint with English Premiership side Gloucester.
The Springboks have unveiled their first match-day squad of the year, with Rassie Erasmus naming an exciting lineup to face the Barbarians in Saturday's mouthwatering curtain-raiser to the 2025 season.
A star-studded Barbarians squad touched down in Cape Town earlier this week to begin preparations for Saturday's Qatar Airways Cup clash against the Springboks at DHL Stadium.
British and Irish Lions chief executive Ben Calveley has confirmed there is interest in future matches against new opponents but insists there are no plans to change the three traditional tours.