Springboks to Face Barbarians FC in 3rd Edition of the Qatar Airways Cup

Qatar Cup: Springboks vs Barbarians FC

Qatar Airways has announced the third edition of the Qatar Airways Cup, which has become a significant event in the international rugby calendar. The match will showcase the reigning Rugby World Cup Champions, South Africa, competing against the British-based Barbarians FC at DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday, June 28, 2025. This event represents the first time these men’s teams will face each other on South African soil.

The event, organized in partnership with Pitch International, is a key component of the airline’s expanding presence in global rugby. It complements the airline’s role as title sponsor for the United Rugby Championship (URC) and the European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR), along with the upcoming Qatar Airways Lions Tour to Australia in late 2025.

Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Thierry Antinori, said: “We are thrilled to introduce the Qatar Airways Cup to Cape Town for the first time, a city we have proudly served for two decades. Rugby has a rich heritage in South Africa, uniting communities across continents, and this match between two of the sport’s most storied teams is a fitting celebration of that spirit. Alongside our global partnerships with the URC, EPCR, and the Qatar Airways Lions Tour to Australia, this landmark fixture deepens our commitment to growing rugby’s global reach while connecting fans through seamless travel experiences.”

The Qatar Airways Cup honors significant milestones for the airline, marking 20 years of operations in South Africa by 2025. With 28 weekly flights, it connects travelers to three major destinations: Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg. Qatar Airways has reinforced its dedication to Africa by partnering with and acquiring a strategic stake in Airlink, a prominent airline in southern Africa, which boosts connectivity and options in the region.

The Barbarians, renowned for their dynamic and entertaining rugby style, will present an international lineup of elite players, guided by former New Zealand professional Robbie Deans. This match provides the Springboks with excellent preparation for their 2025 international season, and spectators can look forward to a rugby festival at one of South Africa’s most iconic stadiums. Due to the high demand for this exciting matchup, tickets for the Qatar Airways Cup are rapidly selling out and can be purchased through Ticketmaster.

The Qatar Airways Cup upholds the airline’s commitment to supporting premier sporting events, fulfilling its broader mission to unite people through sports, culture, and adventure. This cup is a key element of an expansive portfolio of prestigious global sports partnerships, featuring organizations such as UEFA, AFC, Paris-Saint Germain (PSG), FC Internazionale Milano, Tennis Legend Novak Djokovic, The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Formula 1, MotoGP, the IRONMAN Triathlon Series, the United Rugby Championship (URC), European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR), French Rugby Team Section Paloise, The British and Irish Lions Tour of Australia 2025, The Brooklyn Nets NBA Team, and various other sports like Australian football, equestrian, motor racing, padel, squash, and tennis.