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Boks seek happy ending

London - South Africa takes on the Barbarians at Twickenham hoping to end their disappointing season on a high with a new-look team in what will be a sign of things to come for the future of Springbok rugby. 

Gallery: Boks brave the snow

But they will also look to avoid a repeat of history of the famous defeat inflicted by the invitational side on the all-conquering Springboks 50 seasons ago.

In 1961, the BaaBaas - made up of players from all over the world - ended South Africa's 29-match unbeaten record in the final game of its five-month tour of Britain and Ireland with a 6-0 win in Cardiff, courtesy of two early tries.

Ten members of that Barbarians side will be in the crowd this weekend to see if the class of 2010, which includes 13 southern-hemisphere stars past and present, can bring down a largely second-string Springbok team.

"We must never forget the achievements of the past which contributed so much to the Barbarians' reputation," said Barbarians president Micky Steele-Bodger. "Matches don't come much bigger than that game half a century ago.

"Nobody gave us much of a chance against a mighty Springbok outfit. ... It is our privilege to welcome them back and share their memories and triumphs with them."

Peter de Villiers' side will look to end a difficult pre-World Cup year by backing up its 21-11 win over England at Twickenham last Saturday.

Three new players _ center Andries Strauss, flyhalf Elton Jantjies and prop Coenie Oosthuizen - have been drafted for the non-cap match among 12 changes to the team.

Patrick Lambie, Odwa Ndungane, Adi Jacobs, Willem Alberts, Adriaan Strauss, Alistair Hargreaves and CJ van der Linde make their first starts on a tour that has seen the Springboks beat Ireland, Wales and England but lose to Scotland to miss out on a Grand Slam.

"The newcomers have been waiting for their chance and will bring energy and enthusiasm to the lineup at the end of a long season," De Villiers said.

Cheetahs flanker Juan Smith will lead the Springboks in the absence of injured lock Victor Matfield, who has captained the team on the tour with regular skipper John Smit sidelined by a neck problem.

Australia center Matt Giteau captains the Barbarians from flyhalf in his third appearance for the invitational team.

Giteau is one of six Australians in the starting lineup along with three current New Zealand internationals _ Joe Rococoko, Ma'a Nonu and Neemia Tialata. Former All Black forwards Chris Jack and Rodney So'oialo are joined in the pack by Wales flanker Martyn Williams and Italy prop Salvatore Perugini.

Stormers lock Anton van Zyl and Chiefs No. 8 Colin Bourke go up against their countrymen.

Italy coach Nick Mallett takes charge of the BaaBaas, who have three of the six meetings with the Boks since 1952.

Teams:

South Africa: Patrick Lambie, Odwa Ndungane, Adi Jacobs, Andries Strauss, Lwazi Mvovo, Elton Jantjies, Francois Hougaard; Coenie Oosthuizen, Adriaan Strauss, CJ van der Linde, Bakkies Botha, Alistair Hargreaves, Willem Alberts, Juan Smith (captain), Ryan Kankowski.

Replacements: Bandise Maku, Tendai Mtawarira, Werner Kruger, Flip van der Merwe, Keegan Daniel, Charl McLeod, Gio Aplon.

Barbarians: James O'Connor (Australia), Joe Rococoko (New Zealand), Ma'a Nonu (New Zealand), Adam Ashley-Cooper (Australia), Drew Mitchell (Australia), Matt Giteau (Australia, captain), Will Genia (Australia); Salvatore Perugini (Italy), Stephen Moore (Australia), Neemia Tialata (New Zealand), Anton van Zyl (Stormers), Chris Jack (New Zealand), Rodney So'oialo (New Zealand), Martyn Williams (Wales), Colin Bourke (Chiefs).

Replacements: Keven Mealamu (New Zealand), John Yapp (Wales), Quintin Geldenhuys (Italy), Daniel Braid (New Zealand), Andy Ellis (New Zealand), Stephen Donald (New Zealand), Seru Rabeni (Fiji).

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