Sports Reporter
The Springboks opened their 2026 international season with an 80-31 win over the Barbarians at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday, but coach Rassie Erasmus said the world champions still had discipline and defensive lapses to fix before facing England.
The Boks ran in 12 tries in a dominant attacking performance, but Erasmus said the scoreline did not tell the full story after the Barbarians exposed defensive lapses and capitalised on periods of poor discipline.
“Our discipline wasn’t great, and they (the Barbarians) scored tries in quick succession, so yellow cards were not ideal,” said Erasmus after the match.
Yellow cards were handed to Grant Williams and Aphelele Fassi, even though the Boks also benefited from Barbarians cards in the first half.
South Africa led 40-26 at halftime after a loose and entertaining first half in which the Barbarians found space and kept the Boks under pressure
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