Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus continued to take an innovative approach on Tuesday after naming his first Springbok matchday 23 of the 2026 international season by selecting Quan Horn as his starting No 10 to face the Barbarians this weekend.
Horn, 24-years old and with one Test cap to his name, has plied the majority of his senior professional rugby career at the Lions at fullback, and his shift to pivot for Saturday’s clash against the Baabaas in Gqeberha (kick-off 3pm) is an intriguing development.
A powerful runner, Horn’s game is defined by surging counter-attacks, exceptional positional play and a booming left boot. Junior Springbok Vusi Moyo, meanwhile, will play as his backup off the bench. It is expected that Cheslin Kolbe will also take up the goal-kicking duties during the match.
Overall, Erasmus has selected a team that balances the pre-season feel of the upcoming match, while extolling the impressive depth currently available to him. There are familiar names such as Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, André Esterhuizen, Jasper Wiese, Siya Kolisi and Ox Nche amongst newer selections that include Carlu Sadie, Riley Norton, André-Hugo Venter, Horn and Moyo for the Tour match.
“We said from the outset that we wanted to give a few players returning from injury and others who have been playing overseas game time in this match, while at the same time exposing some of the younger players on our radar to top-class international rugby, and we believe this squad reflects those objectives,” said Erasmus via a SA Rugby statement on Tuesday.
“We have been very impressed with the way the new players have jumped straight into action and grasped our systems and structures, and we are excited to see what they can do alongside some of our regular Springbok players, as we build for what will be a challenging season with the Nations Championship and Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series approaching.”
Meanwhile, Bok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick also named his SA ‘A’ team to face the Zimbabwe Sables, also in Gqeberha on Saturday (kick-off 12pm).
Although it too has familiar names attached, the SA A matchday 23 has an exciting crop of youngsters and would-be heroes who will don the fabled green and gold — albeit in tour match colours.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what this group of players can do against a determined Zimbabwe outfit, who have qualified for the 2027 World Cup, and will undoubtedly use this opportunity to test themselves against us as they prepare for the international spectacle,” said Stick.
“The young players and uncapped guys have really slotted in well in the last week, and one can sense the excitement among them to take the field.
“This match will provide fantastic senior international exposure for them, and for Zimbabwe as well, and I believe they have the goods to play an exciting brand of rugby, which will be great for the coaches to assess our depth as we not only build for this season, but with an eye on the RWC next year as well.”
- Erasmus and Stick will explain their selections later on Tuesday so for more on the Springbok matchday 23 and SA ‘A’ matchday 23, who will face the Barbarians and Zimbabwe on Saturday, respectively, stick with IOL.co.za/sport.
Springboks and SA ‘A’ matchday 23s
Springbok starting XV: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 André Esterhuizen, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Quan Horn, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Riley Norton, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Ox Nche; Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Ben-Jason Dixon, 20 Paul de Villiers, 21 Evan Roos, 22 Faf de Klerk, 23 Vusi Moyo.
SA ‘A’ starting XV: 15 Luan Giliomee, 14 Jaco Williams, 13 Markus Muller, 12 Lukhanyo Am, 11 Zekhethelo Siyaya, 10 Yaqeen Ahmed, 9 Haashim Pead, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Bathobele Hlekani, 6 Emmanuel Tshituka, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Vincent Tshituka (captain), 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 Siphosethu Mnebelele, 1 Boan Venter; Replacements: 16 Liam van Wyk, 17 Oliver Reid, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Adre Smith, 20 Siba Mahashe, 21 Nico Steyn, 22 Imad Khan, 23 Jurenzo Julius.
