Ireland rugby legend Peter O’Mahony will captain the Barbarians in his final rugby outing when the famous invitational side take on the Springboks on Saturday.
O’Mahony will lead a team packed with international quality to take on the Boks in Cape Town, the first time the Barbarians have faced them on South African soil.
Fellow Ireland Test centurion Cian Healy, who will also call time on his rugby career on Saturday, packs down at loosehead alongside France’s Camille Chat and Samoan tighthead Paul Alo-Emile.
DHL Stomers lock Ruben van Heerden lines up against his fellow countrymen in the second-row and partnered with England’s David Ribbans, who was born and raised in South Africa.
The Barbarians back-row is packed with international experience with skipper O’Mahony featuring alongside former All Black captain Sam Cane and Shannon Frizell.
Livewire scrumhalf Tawera Kerr-Barlow partners Chief’s Josh Jacomb at half-back. New Zealanders Peter Umaga-Jensen and Leicester Fainga’anuku line-up in the midfield with fellow Kiwis Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkins and Mark Tele’a on the wings. France’s Malvyn Jaminet starts at fullback.
The star studied line-up continues on the bench, Ricky Riccitelli, Hassane Kolingar and Will Collier providing the front-row cover. Josh Beehre, Hoskins Sotutu and Lachlan Boshier complete the forward replacements. Santiago Arata and Joe Marchant provide the back-line cover.
“This side is packed with experience and exciting players and we are looking forward to going out there and expressing ourselves on Saturday,” said Barbarians head coach Robbie Deans.
“This is the first time a South African crowd have got to see the Barbarians face the Springboks on home soil and it’s going to be a great fixture.
“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 on Saturday.”
Tickets for the fixture, which kicks off at 17h10 at the DHL Stadium, can still be purchased via Ticketmaster.co.za.
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
Issued by SA Rugby Communications on behalf of the Barbarians
