Veteran Brits is still great value

Rudolph Jacobs

Retired Springbok hooker Schalk Brits (right) ensured his career ended on a high after a superb performance from the bench in the Barbarians’ 43-33 loss to Wales in Cardiff at the weekend.

Brits replaced Baabaas captain Rory Best 12 minutes into the second half and displayed excellent handling skills to set up a try for flank Pete Samu, which brought the Baabaas back into the game after Wales had threatened to run away with it, with a commanding 33-7 lead,

For Wales, wing Josh Adams and flank Ken Owens scored a brace, while wing Johnny McNicholl went over for a try on debut.

Replacement Gareth Davies added a sixth try before a late Leigh Halfpenny penalty wrapped up the result for the hosts after a Barbarians revival.

The nomadic club never once held the lead but tries from eighthman Josh Strauss, flyhalf Curwin Bosch, fullback Shaun Stevenson, prop Craig Millar and Samu kept them in touch throughout.

In front of a big crowd of 62 138 spectators, the Barbarians made a late surge with two tries inside three minutes, after trailing 4019, but the World Cup semifinalists managed to hold on.

Referee Nigel Owens awarded 23 penalties and could have sent off two Barbarians, with Sharks centre Andre Esterhuizen making a dangerous tackle on Josh Adams and flank Marco van Staden

escaping a second yellow card.

Apart from Brits, it was also the last game for Best, while Baabaas coach Warren Gatland said farewell after coaching Wales for 12 years.

“It was a special day but not an emotional one because I wanted to enjoy it,” Gatland said.

“I think the way we finished showed Wales the need to achieve a balance between playing and overplaying.