Baa Baas farewell Robinson in style

Jason Robinson showed what rugby will be missing by marking his final first-class appearance with a dazzling display in the Barbarians' crushing 22-5 victory over South Africa.

Robinson, the most successful cross-code player of all time, brought down the curtain on a professional career that started at Wigan rugby league club 17 years ago.

The 33-year-old's 538th and final competitive match was a fitting finale for the magical full-back and his departure in the 68th minute was met by a standing ovation. Shrugging off any lingering effects from the dislocated shoulder sustained in England's World Cup final defeat by South Africa, Robinson shredded the Springbok defence with several dazzling runs.

Robinson's entrance onto the pitch was emotionally greeted by the reduced 58,000 Twickenham crowd but his first touch saw him swamped by green shirts. The Barbarians, determined to topple the world champions, won a penalty shortly afterwards and skipper Mark Regan pointed straight for the posts and Matt Giteau made no mistake.

Preserving the invitational side's swashbuckling traditions also remained top of the agenda, however, with Joe Rokocoko and Ma'a Nonu orchestrating a thrilling passage of play. South Africa paraded five World Cup winners in their starting line-up - Schalk Burger withdrew shortly before kick-off because of a broken nose - but their tackling was off-key early on.

A try-saving tackle from Rokocoko on Ryan Kankowski, who had galloped free from the tail of a line-out, saved the Barbarians in the 14th minute. South Africa continued to pound away at the line only to see their own whitewash breached by a brilliant passage of play from the Barbarians.

Nonu pounced on a mistake by Ricky Januarie and the ball went through the hands of Giteau, Conrad Smith and Rokocoko before Wallabies star Giteau collected the scoring pass.

South Africa pegged back the deficit to 8-5 through Cheetahs blindside Barend Pieterse who grabbed a loose ball at close range and dived over. But the Barbarians' response was sublime, Robinson setting off on a trademark run that was continued by Martyn Williams' chip ahead which the former Wales openside finished himself.

Williams' back row colleague Rocky Elsom nudged Eddie O'Sullivan's side further ahead with a charging run initiated by a poor clearance from South Africa.

Heavy rain was taking its toll on the second half and the sin-binning of substitute All Black Troy Flavell for a high tackle on Bryan Habana did not help the Barbarians' cause. But their inspired defence and will to win kept their line intact, sealing a famous victory over the Springboks.