Pitch International Brings the Barbarians to Cape Town for Qatar Airways Cup Clash Against Springboks
In a landmark moment for international rugby, Pitch International (Pitch) is proud to bring the Qatar Airways Cup to South Africa for the very first time. This match is organised and globally promoted by Pitch — a historic clash between the world champions Springboks and the legendary Barbarians.
Set to take place at DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday 28th June 2025, the fixture marks the first-ever meeting between the Springboks and Barbarians hosted in South Africa, bringing two of rugby’s most storied teams together for a truly historic occasion. The match serves as a curtain-raiser to the Castle Lager Incoming Series, giving the Springboks critical match exposure before facing Italy and Georgia.
Pitchside Hospitality, the hospitality arm of Pitch, will be working alongside SA Rugby to organise and sell premium hospitality experiences for the event.
Pitch International’s Andy Marinos said: “Bringing the Barbarians to South Africa to face the Springboks, one of the sport’s most iconic sides and current world champions, is a proud moment for Pitch. The Qatar Airways Cup is a celebration of global rugby and reflects our commitment to delivering the sport’s biggest events in the most passionate venues around the world, perfectly aligning with and reinforcing Pitch’s deep-rooted involvement in the global rugby landscape. It also reflects our valued partnership with Qatar Airways, as we continue to collaborate across some of the world’s most prestigious sporting properties.”
This partnership with the Barbarians and SA Rugby further underscores Pitch’s commitment to collaborating with the most prestigious organisations in global rugby. This landmark fixture complements its existing relationships with leading rugby properties, including SANZAAR, The Six Nations, Premiership Rugby, and the British & Irish Lions, as it continues to play a central role in delivering, distributing, promoting and supporting the sport’s most iconic events.
As title sponsor of the event, Qatar Airways brings its world-class brand to Cape Town in celebration of 20 years of operations to South Africa. This fixture adds to a growing portfolio of collaborations between Pitch and Qatar Airways across the global sporting landscape, including British & Irish Lions Tour and the UEFA Champions League, and reflects a shared commitment to expanding rugby’s reach and delivering premium fan experiences worldwide.
The Barbarians squad – renowned for their flair, creativity and international diversity – will be coached by the highly experienced and respected Robbie Deans and will feature stars from the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, French Top 14, English Premiership, Super Rugby, and the Japanese League. The Qatar Airways Cup clash will mark the ninth meeting between the Springboks and the famous black-and-white-clad Barbarians, and their first encounter since an exciting 31-31 draw at Wembley Stadium in London on 5th November 2016.
SA Rugby CEO, Rian Oberholzer said: “We are delighted to collaborate with Pitch International to bring this landmark fixture to South Africa, and to Qatar Airways for their support. Pitch International’s global expertise in event delivery and promotion makes them the perfect partner to help showcase the Springboks and Barbarians to a worldwide audience. This partnership marks an exciting new chapter in our efforts to grow the game and connect with fans across the globe."