An Edwill van der Merwe hat-trick spurred the Springboks to an emphatic win over a plucky Barbarians team in Gqeberha on Saturday.
Rassie Erasmus’ charges ran in 12 tries at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium to thump the invitational team 80-31 in their first match of the international season.
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The Boks started the match as expected – with intensity and purpose – and were rewarded when Van der Merwe rounded off a slick team move in the corner. Winger Cheslin Kolbe, entrusted with the kicking duties, added the conversion from out wide.
The Boks are on fire
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Kolbe’s afternoon almost took a painful turn shortly afterwards when he collided head-first with a TV camera, leaving him with a cut near his eye.
The Barbarians hit back when powerful centre Virimi Vakatawa crashed over for their opening try, with Argentina flyhalf Tomás Albornoz adding the extras to level matters.
The Boks responded immediately when flank Pieter-Steph du Toit muscled his way over the line.
South Africa then seized control of the contest. Van der Merwe grabbed his second try before No 8 Jasper Wiese and lock Riley Norton crossed as the hosts capitalised on two Barbarians yellow cards to build a healthy lead.
Yet the famous invitational side refused to disappear. Lock Franco Molina, wing Andrew Kellaway and scrumhalf TJ Perenara struck in a frantic six-minute spell before half-time, exposing a few defensive cracks and breathing fresh life into the contest.
The Springboks had the final say before the break when Kolbe sliced through the defence for the hosts’ sixth try to make it 40-26 at half-time.
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The Boks were quickly back on the attack after the restart and thought Van der Merwe had completed his hat-trick within two minutes of the second half. The score was ruled out, however, after a tackle at the ruck in the build-up by fullback Aphelele Fassi was ruled to be dangerous.
The next try did count as replacement hooker JJ Kotze crashed over from a maul.
The first Springbok hattrick of the season goes to Edwill van der Merwe
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) June 20, 2026
Van der Merwe completed his hat-trick two minutes later, finishing off another attacking movement.
One of the biggest cheers from the Gqeberha crowd came when Faf de Klerk made his appearance off the bench. The blond-haired scrumhalf found himself on the scoresheet soon after to extend the Boks’ lead.
Centres Jesse Kriel and André Esterhuizen as well as replacement prop Zach Porthen completed the rout.
The Boks now gear up for their opening Nations Championship Test against England at Ellis Park on 4 July.
SPRINGBOKS – Tries: Edwill van der Merwe (3), Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jasper Wiese, Riley Norton, Cheslin Kolbe, JJ Kotze, Faf de Klerk, Jesse Kriel, André Esterhuizen, Zach Porthen. Conversions: Kolbe (9), Vusi Moyo.
BARBARIANS – Tries: Virimi Vakatawa, Franco Molina, Andrew Kellaway (2), TJ Perenara. Conversions: Tomás Albornoz (3).
Photo: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images
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An Edwill van der Merwe hat-trick spurred the Springboks to an emphatic win over a plucky Barbarians team in Gqeberha on Saturday.
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