Springbok prop Vincent Koch crossed for the Barbarians’ opening try, but it was not enough to prevent Wales from claiming a hard-fought victory at Twickenham on Saturday.
Captained by Springbok scrumhalf Faf de Klerk, the Barbarians played entertaining rugby in parts and really got the crowd on their feet in the dying minutes – ultimately going down 33-31 to Steve Tandy’s side.
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The Baa-Baas found themselves chasing the game after Wales took a 14-5 half-time lead through tries by scrumhalf Kieran Hardy and flyhalf Dan Edwards, with Koch replying for the invitational side.
Edwards added his second shortly after the break before replacement scrumhalf Reuben Morgan-Williams and winger Ellis Mee stretched Wales’ advantage to 17 points.
The Barbarians refused to go away, though, and former Wales wing George North marked the final appearance of his professional career with two second-half tries after coming off the bench.
George North’s final act as a professional rugby player.
A legend of Welsh Rugby 🫡 pic.twitter.com/UQTT6yNOmS
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) June 27, 2026
North’s double sparked a late fightback that brought the Barbarians within two points, and he added the conversion with the final kick of the match, but Wales held on to begin their international season with a morale-boosting victory.
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The result gives Wales winning momentum ahead of next week’s Nations Championship opener against Fiji in Cardiff, while the Barbarians once again produced the entertaining brand of rugby for which they are renowned.
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) June 27, 2026
BARBARIANS – Tries: Vincent Koch, George North (2), Alex Nankivell, Santiago Arata. Conversions: Harry Plummer (2), North.
WALES – Tries: Kieran Hardy, Dan Edwards (2), Reuben Morgan-Williams, Ellis Mee. Conversions: Edwards (2), Sam Costelow (2).
Photo: Steve Bardens/Getty Images
The post Koch scores as Wales edge Faf’s Barbarians appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Springbok prop Vincent Koch crossed for the Barbarians’ opening try, but it was not enough to prevent Wales from claiming a hard-fought victory at Twickenham on Saturday.
The post Koch scores as Wales edge Faf’s Barbarians appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
