An expectant crowd at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium will be looking forward to some entertaining rugby union when South Africa host the Barbarians in the YesPlay Cup on Saturday afternoon.
The invitational Barbarians side have a host of big names, with the 89-capped All Black TJ Perenara set to skipper the side from scrum-half.
Not wanting to be bested on their own patch in Gqeberha, Springboks boss Rassie Erasmus has named a strong side, while also sprinkling in some fresher faces.
It looks set to be an end-to-end contest at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium and one in which the Baa-Baas can push the Springboks all the way.
South Africa v Barbarians Tips Summary
Best Bet - Barbarians +26.5 handicap @ 4/5
Alternative Bet - Duhan van der Merwe anytime tryscorer @ 13/10
Bet Builder - Cheslin Kolbe to score two or more tries & Grant Williams anytime tryscorer @ 4/1
South Africa v Barbarians Prediction
Best Bet: Barbarians +26.5 handicap @ 4/5
Given the very nature of the Barbarians and how they are a new-look side every time they take the field, it can be hard predicting a result.
However, there is enough in the Baa-Baas side to suggest they can fire a few shots at the Boks and make Saturday’s clash a competitive contest.
While South Africa go into this game on the back of an eight-match winning streak, they have been nearly toppled in that run.
Beating Argentina by only two points back in October, Ireland will have been wondering about a missed opportunity after their 24-13 defeat in Dublin.
With the experienced Perenara marshalling the troops from the No.9 jersey, the Barbarians should have a good structural platform to build on, while also looking to put on a typical show for the viewing public.
South Africa should come out on top on Saturday but the Baa-Baas with a +25.5 handicap gets the green light.
Alternative Bet: Duhan van der Merwe anytime tryscorer @ 13/10
South Africa-born Scotland international Duhan van der Merwe will be eager to impress against the Springboks this weekend.
With 35 tries in 53 Test appearances for Scotland, Van der Merwe has established himself as one of the best finishers in the game.
The British & Irish Lion is a real threat in the wide channels and up against the diminutive Cheslin Kolbe, the powerful Van der Merwe is great value at 13/10 to get on the scoresheet.
South Africa v Barbarians Bet Builder Tip
Cheslin Kolbe to score two or more tries
Grant Williams anytime tryscorer
Pays 4/1
While Van der Merwe might be good going forward, his defence can be called into question at times and Kolbe can get his own back on the Scotland winger.
Kolbe has scored in two of his last three games for Tokyo Sungoliath and with that form, he’s well priced to score at least two tries in Saturday’s encounter.
Meanwhile, scrum-half Grant Williams is backed in the anytime tryscorer market, having scored in two games for the Springboks during the last Autumn Nations Series against France and Italy.
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Key Match Stats
South Africa won the last meeting between these sides 54-7 last year
The previous encounter was in 2016, with these sides playing out a 31-31 draw
The Barbarians have beaten the likes of England, Spain, New Zealand A, Bath and Fiji in the last four years
South Africa are on an eight-game winning streak going into this game
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
