Ireland legend : My greatest expectation  for Barbarians against Springboks in last match before retirement

Ireland prop Cian Healy at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin during the 2023 Six Nations.

Ireland and Leinster front-rower Cian Healy is set to play his final match as a professional when he lines up for the Barbarians in their eagerly anticipated clash with the Springboks in Cape Town on Saturday.

At the age of 37, Healy holds the distinction of being the most capped player for both Ireland and United Rugby Championship champions Leinster.

He made his international debut debut in 2009 and had amassed 137 caps for Ireland upon his retirement earlier this year.

Preparing for a tough challenge

Healy has also been a regular with Leinster for more than 15 years and is preparing for a tough challenge against the world champions.

“Oh lovely!” was his reaction when told that the Boks had selected behemoth front-rower Asenathi Ntlabakanye at tighthead prop for Saturday’s match. “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!”

After such a lengthy career, Healy has seen it all during his career and expects a big onslaught from the Boks who will be keen to get their 2025 international campaign off to a solid start.

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

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

“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.

‘It will be special to be part of it’

“That to me is 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 is capable of beating anyone.

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