Erasmus backs Gqeberha for Springboks' June 20 opener against Barbarians

South Africa's coach expects a capacity crowd for the season-opening match at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

South Africa's rugby coach Rassie Erasmus said Gqeberha would provide an ideal setting for the Springboks' opening match of the season against the Barbarians on June 20, citing the city's strong rugby support.¹²

Erasmus, who was born in Despatch, said he expected a capacity crowd of 46,000 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium for the match against a composite Barbarians side to be coached by former All Blacks coach Scott Robertson.¹² "I can't wait for the season to start, and what better place than Gqeberha, where we've always enjoyed enormous support," Erasmus said.¹²

The coach said organisers had told him that average attendance at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium exceeded 95% of stadium capacity.¹² "We hope to see the stands packed out again this year when we welcome the BaaBaas," he said.¹²

A South Africa A team will face the Zimbabwe Sables in a curtain-raiser to the Barbarians match.¹² Erasmus said he would use the A match to build squad depth, while Zimbabwe would have an opportunity to test themselves against emerging South African talent.¹²

The Sanzaar U20 Rugby Championship will begin at the same venue on Monday with the Junior Springboks facing Argentina at 4.10pm.¹²

Erasmus said the Barbarians would arrive with an experienced coaching team and would provide a significant challenge.²