O'Mahony to lead Barbarians in Cape Town
CAPE TOWN - Ireland rugby legend Peter O'Mahony will captain the Barbarians against world champions South Africa in a non-cap exhibition match at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.
The 35-year-old retired as a Test flanker after the 2025 Six Nations Championship having made 114 appearances and played his final match for Munster in the United Rugby Championship last month.
O'Mahony forms a vastly experienced back row with two former All Blacks, fellow flanker Sam Cane and number 8 Shannon Frizell, who both play in Japan.
In the matchday 23, there are 17 who have played at Test level, including another recent retiree, loosehead prop Cian Healy, who holds the Irish record with 137 international appearances.
It is the first time the Barbarians have played in South Africa. They won four, drew one and lost three of eight previous meetings. They last met in 2016, drawing 31-31 at Wembley Stadium.
The Cape Town game marks the start of the season for the Springboks, who will also play 13 Tests, starting with a match against Italy in Pretoria on July 5.
Team (15-1)
Melvyn Jaminet (FRA); Mark Telea, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens; Josh Jacomb, Tawera Kerr-Barlow; Shannon Frizell, Sam Cane (all NZL), Peter O'Mahony (IRL, capt); David Ribbans (ENG), Ruben van Heerden (RSA); Paul Alo-Emile (SAM), Camille Chat (FRA), Cian Healy (IRL)
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eNCA
7 hours ago
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O'Mahony to lead Barbarians in Cape Town
CAPE TOWN - Ireland rugby legend Peter O'Mahony will captain the Barbarians against world champions South Africa in a non-cap exhibition match at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday. The 35-year-old retired as a Test flanker after the 2025 Six Nations Championship having made 114 appearances and played his final match for Munster in the United Rugby Championship last month. O'Mahony forms a vastly experienced back row with two former All Blacks, fellow flanker Sam Cane and number 8 Shannon Frizell, who both play in Japan. In the matchday 23, there are 17 who have played at Test level, including another recent retiree, loosehead prop Cian Healy, who holds the Irish record with 137 international appearances. It is the first time the Barbarians have played in South Africa. They won four, drew one and lost three of eight previous meetings. They last met in 2016, drawing 31-31 at Wembley Stadium. The Cape Town game marks the start of the season for the Springboks, who will also play 13 Tests, starting with a match against Italy in Pretoria on July 5. Team (15-1) Melvyn Jaminet (FRA); Mark Telea, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens; Josh Jacomb, Tawera Kerr-Barlow; Shannon Frizell, Sam Cane (all NZL), Peter O'Mahony (IRL, capt); David Ribbans (ENG), Ruben van Heerden (RSA); Paul Alo-Emile (SAM), Camille Chat (FRA), Cian Healy (IRL)
IOL News
10 hours ago
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Robbie Deans urges Barbarians to ‘have a crack' at Springboks in Cape Town
Irish loose forward Peter O'Mahony will captain the Barbarians against the Springboks. Photo: AFP Image: AFP Coach Robbie Deans wants his Barbarians to play with flair while giving the Springboks as tough an outing as they can before their Test season starts in July. For the first time, the invitational side will play a match in South Africa, and according to Deans, his players should have no fear and 'have a crack' at the world champions when they lock horns in the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday (5.10pm start). 'I hope it's a close contest, for our sake,' Deans said with his team announcement on Thursday. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The New Zealander selected seven All Blacks, four Frenchmen, two Irishmen and two South Africans in his match-day 23 that will look to maintain their winning record over the South Africans. In their eight matches, the Baabaas have won four, with three wins for their hosts and one ending in a tie. With plenty of flair players in the side, led by Irish legend Peter O'Mahony, the Barbarians possess the quality of players to give the Boks a run for their money. O'Mahony will play in his final match after a stellar international career for Ireland alongside front-rower Cian Healy, who was selected as the starting loosehead prop. All Blacks Sam Cane and Shannon Frizell will form the loose trio with their captain, while South Africans Ruben van Heerden and David Ribbans, who played for England, pair up in the locks. At the back, Kiwi winger Mark Tele'a and French fullback Melvyn Jaminet will look to stretch their legs with the ball in hand. 'I've been trying to get Peter to play for the Barbarians for a while, it worked out for him now,' Deans said. 'He has this last opportunity before retiring from international rugby. He has a huge amount of respect globally. 'He seemed like the obvious appointment (as captain) and was the first bloke I spoke to once I was offered the gig, and he was keen. Ireland legend Peter O'Mahony will captain the @Barbarian_FC in his final rugby outing when they take on the #Springboks, with Robbie Deans naming a side packed with international quality for Saturday's clash in Cape Town - more here: 💪 — Springboks (@Springboks) June 26, 2025 'These guys have plenty of international experience, guys like Sam Cane, Cian Healy. 'When they strap up their boots, they strap it up to compete and we want the experience to be good for them. 'We've trained and prepared ourselves in a way that we can be competitive. 'When these guys get the opportunity to play and with the history of the club, we want to add to it. We want to bring that courage and flair, the things the club stands for. 'South Africa is taking it seriously as they are preparing for an international season. 'Both teams will be positive (with their approach) and provide a spectacle for the public who are turning out in their numbers regardless of the weather.' Barbarians Team 15 Melvyn Jaminet 14 Mark Tele'a 13 Leicester Fainga'anuku 12 Peter Umaga-Jensen 11 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkins 10 Josh Jacomb 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow 8 Shannon Frizell 7 Sam Cane 6 Peter O'Mahony (captain) 5 David Ribbans 4 Ruben van Heerden 3 Paul Alo-Emile 2 Camille Chat 1 Cian Healy. Bench: 16 Ricky Riccitelli 17 Hassane Kolingar 18 Will Collier 19 Josh Beehre 20 Hoskins Sotutu 21 Santiago Arata 22 Joe Marchant 23 Lachlan Boshier.
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