Ireland legend Cian Healy praises ‘tough scrummager’ Asenathi Ntlabakanye ahead of Springboks-Barbarians showdown

At 37, there isn’t much that Cian Healy hasn’t seen on a rugby field.

The loosehead prop played in a record 137 Test matches for Ireland, and earned 291 caps for his beloved Leinster, which is also the most for the province.

Add in four Champions Cup titles, eight URC trophies – including one just two weeks ago against the Bulls – and five Six Nations triumphs, and it has been a wonderful career.

But just when Healy was hoping to enjoy his swansong for the Barbarians against the Springboks at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday (5.10pm kick-off), he quickly realised that it won’t just be a walk in the park.

Told by Independent Media on Tuesday that the Boks have picked Lions juggernaut Asenathi Ntlabakanye at tighthead prop, Healy gasped and said: “Oh lovely! Yeah, I have (played against him). He is a big guy... tough scrummager!

“I better get on the homework for that one! Yeah, cool! God loves a challenge, hey!”

While Bok coach Rassie Erasmus spoke glowingly about Ntlabakanye’s progress in recent seasons ahead of his national team debut, the Lions No 3 will face a stern test from the hardened professional in Healy.

The Leinster stalwart won’t be taking it easy on the Bok newcomer, even though the Barbarians are renowned for doing more training ‘off the pitch’ than on it.

But Healy is delighted to square off with the world champions in the Mother City.

“It’s class (to face the Boks). Playing against the world champs in their back garden is a special thing anyway,” he said.

“Doing it with a team like the Barbarians, where the stress is taken out of the week, and it’s all about enjoyment and getting to know people, having a bit of craic (fun times)...

“Training, and a bit of professionalism in there – we have to look after our bodies as well. So, we’re doing the right things as well.

“I think that’s to me a very special way to finish a career. It’s player-driven, and it will be special to be part of it.

“It (the Bok team announcement) came into the WhatsApp group, but I haven’t had a look! We were off the bus for lunch, and I was hungry as hell! I went straight to the food.

“But I don’t think it matters what team they put out. South African rugby is in such a strong place that they can pull (players) from anywhere and put out a top tier international team that’s capable of beating anyone.

“You’ve got a big task on your hands coming here to play a game, and I think regardless of who the personnel are, it’s still going to be a proper task.”

Healy announced his retirement earlier this year, and is looking forward to some time off with family and exploring some coaching.

“I’m happy about it. I’ve been lucky enough to have a good career, and play a lot of games for club and country,” the front-ranker said.

“I suppose in a couple of different parts of the season, it might have got an emotional twist: last Saturday for Leinster, last Saturday for Ireland.

“To be honest, I’ve tried to park the real thoughts about it, and continue as professional as possible – and deal with the aftermath of rugby!

“I am doing a bit of coaching with my local club, and the school I went to, to keep my mind in the game and see if it’s something I enjoy.

“I love rugby, and love helping people. It’s important to spend a year and see if I like the coaching side of it as much.

“I’ve got an extended break in the summer, and I will be with the family on holidays and spend some time together.

“(My) wife won’t be on schedule either, so we will be kind of free for the summer.

“Then I have a lovely workshop in my back garden, which I go into and disappear for eight hours – I make chef’s knives!

“So, that’s something I am going to do, and I am going to enjoy a bit of me-time.”

Springbok Team

15 Aphelele Fassi 14 Cheslin Kolbe 13 Jesse Kriel 12 Damian de Allende 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu 9 Morné van den Berg 8 Jean-Luc du Preez 7 Vincent Tshituka 6 Siya Kolisi (captain) 5 Lood de Jager 4 Jean Kleyn 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye 2 Malcolm Marx 1 Ox Nche.

Bench: 16 Marnus van der Merwe 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels 18 Neethling Fouché 19 Franco Mostert 20 Kwagga Smith 21 Cobus Reinach 22 Manie Libbok 23 André Esterhuizen.

Barbarians Squad

Cian Healy, Will Collier, Hassane Kolingar, Paul Alo-Emile, Camille Chat, Ricky Riccitelli, David Ribbans, Ruben van Heerden, Josh Beehre, Hoskins Sotutu, Peter O’Mahony, Sam Cane, Shannon Frizell, Lachlan Boshier, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Santiago Arata Perrone, Melvyn Jaminet, Josh Jacomb, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Mark Telea, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Joe Marchant.