The Barbarians have finally released their squad to take on the Springboks – and there are some seriously talented players that will give the world champions a proper test at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday (5.10pm kick-off).
While former All Black captain Sam Cane was among the initial group announced last week – along with Irish legends Peter O’Mahony and Conor Murray – the full 23-man group has a number of classy operators from yesteryear, as well as promising young talent.
One of the eye-catching recruits from coach Robbie Deans is ex-All Black scrumhalf Tawera Kerr-Barlow.
Previously of the Chiefs, Kerr-Barlow has starred for French giants La Rochelle in recent years.
Kerr-Barlow may partner with French playmaker Melvyn Jaminet, while the rest of the backs have some serious firepower.
All Black wing Mark Telea headlines a number of outstanding strike-runners, where the likes of Leicester Fainga’anuku and Joe Marchant are sure to test the Bok defence.
Apart from Cane and O’Mahony, the Barbarians pack boast a number of hardened internationals and other streetwise players, including veteran Irish prop Cian Healy, French hooker Camille Chat, and New Zealand loose forward Shannon Frizell.
There are also a few South African connections, including Stormers lock Ruben van Heerden, and Cape Town-born England second-rower David Ribbans.
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.
