Published • loading... • Updated
Kolbe Star Goal Kicker as Springboks Put 80 Past Barbarians
Edwill van der Merwe scored three tries as Cheslin Kolbe handled the kicking and the Springboks finished strongly.
- On Saturday, the Springboks defeated the Barbarians 80-31 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, opening their 2026 campaign in commanding fashion.
- Flyhalf Quan Horn made his Springbok debut in the absence of established playmakers, while bench replacements delivered sparkling cameos that fueled a strong final-15-minute surge.
- Wing Edwill van der Merwe bagged a hat-trick facilitated by Andre Esterhuizen's delayed pass, while Cheslin Kolbe scored 8/10 as the designated goal-kicker.
- Scrumhalf Grant Williams started ahead of Faf de Klerk and delivered a polished display, though center Andre Esterhuizen produced a mixed outing as defensive gaps were exposed.
- Anchoring the physical display, forwards Jasper Wiese and Franco Mostert made consistent forward progress, while prop Ox Nche, prop Carlu Sadie, and hooker Andre-Hugo Venter completed a workman-like outing.
Insights by Ground AI
16 Articles
16 Articles
Springbok player ratings: Veterans and rookies alike star in dazzling performance
The Springboks surged to a 80-31 triumph over the Barbarians to kick off their 2026 campaign in stunning fashion at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday. 15. Aphelele Fassi – 7/10 Finally back in the green and gold, Fassi lively from the back and repeatedly sliced through the Barbarians defence to get on the front foot. He did try a couple of kicks which didn’t come off, but it never put the team in a worse position than it was before his atte…
·Johannesburg, South Africa
Read Full Article
Coverage Details
Total News Sources16
Leaning Left2Leaning Right1Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution57% Center
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources are Center
57% Center
L 29%
C 57%
14%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
