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A stacked Barbarians team and coaching staff have been preparing in Cape Town to tackle the world champion Springboks, and the final squad announced today should ensure anything but a dull game.
The last time the two sides faced each other was in London at Wembley Stadium in 2016, and they played out a 31-31 draw. This followed two defeats for the Springboks: 26-20 in 2010 and 22-5 in 2007.
Over the past week, Head Coach Robbie Deans, who has won numerous titles in Super Rugby with the Crusaders and in Japan with Saitama Wild Knights, was joined by All Black test centurion Sam Whitelock for the historic clash. Whitelock has the most World Cup appearances (26) and has played in three finals during a 153-Test career.
Deans said of the ensemble cast he has mustered, “This side is packed with experienced and exciting players, and we are looking forward to going out there and expressing ourselves on Saturday. This is the first time a South African crowd has got to see the Barbarians face the Springboks on home soil, and it’s going to be a great fixture.”
The initial announcements combined have hundreds of test caps as the Irish centurion trio of Cian Healy (prop), Peter O’Mahony (flanker) and Conor Murray (scrumhalf) - who have all played their final games for Ireland - Healy and O’Mahony are expected to have their final run out in Cape Town in all forms of the game.
Healy has been a professional player for 18 years and is Ireland’s most capped player with 137 Test appearances and has the most caps for Leinster (291). When asked for his thoughts on the Bok side, he said, “South African rugby is in such a strong place – they can pull players from anywhere and put together a top-tier international side that can beat anyone. It’s a massive challenge no matter who they pick.
“Playing against the world champions in their back garden is always special. Doing it as part of a Barbarians team makes it even better. The pressure’s off during the week – it’s about enjoyment, getting to know people, having a bit of craic [a good time] in training, but also doing things right. That kind of balance is a really special way to finish a career.”
Peter O’Mahony will captain the Barbarians in his final rugby game.
As the week progressed, the names kept coming. Former All Black captain Sam Cane and teammate Shannon Frizell were both added after their season in Japan, in which Frizzell won his second title with Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo. Had mercurial colleague Richie Mu’anga not broken his hand, he might well be in the team in Cape Town too.
South African lock Ruben van Heerden (DHL Stormers) was included in the Barbarians squad while battle-hardened players flew in from around the globe; the kiwi contingent includes Tawera Kerr-Barlow (playing in France), Hoskins Sotutu and Mark Tele'a from the Blues (with Tele’a heading to the JRLO next season, as is Peter Umaga-Jensen, while Leicester Fainga’anuku is heading back to New Zealand from France.
Santiago Arata Perrone (Uruguay), Camille Chat, Hassane Kolingar & Melvyn Jaminet (France), Joe Marchant, David Ribbans, and Will Collier (England), and Paul Alo-Emile (Samoa) all capped at Test level bolstered players with Test experience who touched down in Cape Town at the start of the week for the Qatar Airways Cup at DHL Stadium.
The team, aside from the social off-the-field bonding that the invitational team is legendary for, also took time to get involved with The Atlas Charity in Cape Town. There have also been plenty of jibes and banter on social media.
In the pack, for all the festival and flamboyant a Baa Baas game is known for, expect some fireworks. The Barbarians front row consists of Cian Healy, France’s Camille Chat and Samoan tighthead Paul Alo-Emile, with Ruben van Heerden and David Ribbans (who was born and raised in South Africa) in the second row. The back-row features O’Mahony, Sam Cane and Shannon Frizell.
Tawera Kerr-Barlow is the starting scrum half, Chiefs’ Josh Jacomb is at flyhalf with Peter Umaga-Jensen and Leicester Fainga’anuku in the centres. Kiwis Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkins and Mark Tele’a are on the wings, and Malvyn Jaminet starts at fullback.
The Bomb Squad for the Barbarians (as they have called it on socials) includes Ricky Riccitelli, Hassane Kolingar, Will Collier, Josh Beehre, Hoskins Sotutu and Lachlan Boshier as the forward replacements. Santiago Arata and Joe Marchant cover the backs.
Deans added, “The boys have come in and connected really well; those connections are helping drive us on the field, and we are looking forward to showing that against the World Champions.”
Barbarians F.C. team to face the Springboks:
Cian Healy
Camille Chat
Paul Alo-Emile
Ruben van Heerden
David Ribbans
Peter O’Mahony (captain)
Sam Cane
Shannon Frizell
Tawera Kerr-Barlow
Josh Jacomb
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkins
Peter Umaga-Jensen
Leicester Fainga’anuku
Mark Telea
Melvyn Jaminet
Replacements:
Ricky Ricatelli
Hassane Kolingar
Will Collier
Josh Beehre
Hoskins Sotutu
Santiago Arata
Joe Marchant
Lachlan Boshier