Rugby
SA-look to BaaBaas squad
2009-11-24 13:17
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London - The Barbarians have confirmed a star-studded line-up, including uncapped South African WP Nel, to take on the All Blacks at Twickenham on December 5.
House-hold names, including Wallaby flyhalf Matt Giteau and Springboks Bryan Habana, Fourie du Preez and Victor Matfield, have been included in the Barbarians' 22-man squad to play New Zealand next month.
All Black wing Joe Rokocoko will also feature for the invitational side.
Matfield will be making his BaaBaas debut.
Free State Cheetahs star Nel was widely tipped to earn a Springbok call up for the end-of-year tour but, after missing out on that selection, will be the Barbarians' uncapped representative at the home of English rugby next Saturday.
Taking charge of the squad's preparations will be Italy's national coach Nick Mallett, assisted by Alan Solomons. Mallett played for the Barbarians against Leicester in 1979 while Solomons coached the club on their triumphant summer tour in 2003 which featured victories over England, Scotland and Wales.
Barbarians squad:Backs: Leigh Halfpenny (Wales),
Bryan Habana (South Africa), Joe Rokocoko (New Zealand), Drew Mitchell (Australia), Jamie Roberts (Wales),
Jaque Fourie (South Africa),
Morne Steyn (South Africa), Matt Giteau (Australia),
Fourie du Preez (South Africa), Will Genia (Australia)
Forwards: Bismarck du Plessis (South Africa), Stephen Moore (Australia),
Tendai 'Beast' Mtawarira (South Africa),
WP Nel (Free State Cheetahs), Salvatore Perugini (Italy),
Victor Matfield (South Africa),
Danie Rossouw (South Africa), Carlo del Fava (Italy), Rocky Elsom (Australia),
Schalk Burger (South Africa), George Smith (Australia), Andy Powell (Wales)