No Fairytale Farewell: O’Mahony Handed Brutal Rating in Last Outing

Saturday, 28 June 2025 at 23:47

byRugby Rucker

South Africa laid down a thunderous marker to start their 2025 campaign, steamrolling the Barbarians 54–7 at a soaked DHL Stadium — their biggest-ever win over the invitational side.

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The Boks flew out of the blocks with set-piece dominance and raw physicality.

Hooker Malcolm Marx rumbled over from a trademark maul in the fifth minute before Cheslin Kolbe lit up the game with a slick finish off a deft grubber from Aphelele Fassi. It was one-way traffic from there.

The Barbarians were penned deep for the opening quarter, and the punishment continued when Vincent Tshituka crashed over from close range after relentless pressure. Despite the rain, the Springboks barely looked flustered and kept the BaaBaas quiet with suffocating defence.

The Barbarians? Brave at times, but bashed into the turf by a ruthless Bok pack.

PLAYER RATINGS – THE BARBARIANS’ BIG NAMES UNDER THE MICROSCOPE:

Sam Cane – 3/10 (Planet Rugby) | 5.5/10 (Rugby 365)

The All Black great endured a miserable afternoon. Barely visible while the Springboks bullied his pack, Cane cut a frustrated figure after being hooked just before the 50-minute mark. Didn’t shy away from the contact area, but this was a tough watch for fans of the Kiwi legend.

RUCK VERDICT: Ghosted. Replaced early and offered little leadership in the storm.
RUCK RATING: 4/10

Cian Healy – 4/10 (Planet Rugby) | 5/10 (Rugby 365)

Healy was fired up for his swansong, making an early impact with a charge-down. But in the scrums, it was a harsh send-off — the veteran was edged by rising Bok tighthead Asenathi Ntlabakanye. Gutsy, but outgunned.

RUCK VERDICT: The heart was willing, the scrum said no. Brave to the end.
RUCK RATING: 5/10

Peter O’Mahony – 5/10 (Both)

Classic O’Mahony moment with a slick maul steal in the first half, showing that even in his final match, the edge was still there. But he was also caught out badly by an outrageous dummy from Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. Greeted with a hero’s reception on his exit, but the Boks didn’t show any mercy.

RUCK VERDICT:
A warrior’s farewell with flashes of class — and a moment to forget.
RUCK RATING: 5.5/10

NEXT UP: South Africa shift focus to their Rugby Championship defence. The Barbarians? Plenty of flair as always, but no match for the Boks’ muscle.