Rassie Erasmus has done it again. The Springbok coach named Lions fullback Quan Horn at flyhalf for Saturday's match against the Barbarians in Gqeberha, leaving everyone scratching their heads.

With Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu injured and Handre Pollard busy with URC commitments, Manie Libbok is the only regular Test flyhalf in the wider squad. But instead of starting Libbok, Erasmus chose to test depth at 10. Horn will wear the No 10 jersey, with talented Vusi Moyo providing cover from the bench.

The SA 'A' team also has a surprise at flyhalf. Junior Springbok star Yaqeen Ahmed will start at No 10 against Zimbabwe at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium at 12:00 on Saturday, followed by the Springboks vs Barbarians at 15:00.

Interestingly, the SA 'A' bench has two scrumhalves in Nico Steyn and Imad Khan. That means starting fullback Luan Giliomee will likely provide backup at flyhalf.

Erasmus said the selections reflect the team's objectives. "We said from the outset that we wanted to give a few players returning from injury and others who have been playing overseas game time in this match, while at the same time exposing some of the younger players on our radar to top-class international rugby, and we believe this squad reflects those objectives," he said.

The coach added that new players have impressed. "We have been very impressed with the way the new players have jumped straight into action and grasped our systems and structures, and we are excited to see what they can do alongside some of our regular Springbok players, as we build for what will be a challenging season with the Nations Championship and Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series approaching."

Here are the full teams:

Springbok team to face the Barbarians:

15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Quan Horn, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Riley Norton, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Andre-Hugo Venter, 1 Ox Nche.

Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Ben-Jason Dixon, 20 Paul de Villiers, 21 Evan Roos, 22 Faf de Klerk, 23 Vusi Moyo.

SA 'A' team to face Zimbabwe:

15 Luan Giliomee, 14 Jaco Williams, 13 Markus Muller, 12 Lukhanyo Am, 11 Zekhethelo Siyaya, 10 Yaqeen Ahmed, 9 Haashim Pead, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Bathobele Hlekani, 6 Emmanuel Tshituka, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Vincent Tshituka (captain), 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Siphosethu Mnebelele, 1 Boan Venter.

Replacements: 16 Liam van Wyk, 17 Oliver Reid, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Adre Smith, 20 Siba Mahashe, 21 Nico Steyn, 22 Imad Khan, 23 Jurenzo Julius.

These are warm-up games ahead of a packed season. The Springboks will compete in the Nations Championship and the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series later this year. Erasmus is clearly using these matches to build depth and test new combinations.

For Horn, this is a massive opportunity. The Lions fullback has been impressive in the United Rugby Championship, but starting at flyhalf for the Springboks is a different beast. And for Ahmed, the Junior Bok, this is a chance to stake a claim for higher honours.