Share

BaaBaas start for SA duo

Wellington - Italy captain Sergio Parisse said he wanted to give the British and Irish Lions an early taste of pressure after being named to lead the Barbarians side in Saturday's encounter in Hong Kong on Wednesday.

The inspirational No 8 will lead the iconic invitational side which has been stacked with internationals, headlined by the likes of former All Black winger Joe Rokocoko and flyhalf Nick Evans.

Coach Dai Young, three times a Lions tourist and a series winner in Australia in 1989 and South Africa in 1997, has selected Italy prop Martin Castrogiovanni in the front row along with Wales loosehead Paul James.

Former Lions utility back James Hook, who had held out a slim hope that he might make the party for the tour of Australia, was named on the Barbarians bench.

Former England centre Mike Tindall, who missed the 2005 Lions tour to New Zealand because of injury, is also on the bench, while former Wallabies lock Dean Mumm will be out to strike an early blow or two for Australia.

"I played two years ago for the Baa-Baas and it is a big honour to be back again," Parisse told reporters in Hong Kong on Tuesday.

"For any player, especially from Italy, it is a great opportunity and I know we have enough talent and skill among this group of players to put the Lions under pressure."

Saracens hooker Schalk Brits was also named to play Warren Gatland's side, four years after he missed an opportunity to play the Lions in his native South Africa.

"The year I joined Sarries in 2009 was the year that the Lions toured South Africa so hopefully now I'll have that chance to play against them," he told his club's website, before adding he hoped to be facing club colleagues Mako Vunipola and Matt Stevens in the front row on Saturday.

"Hopefully they'll give me an easy ride but, let's be honest, I don't think that will happen!"

Lock Marco Wentzel is the other South African in the starting team.

The Barbarians, who traditionally name an uncapped player, have named three for the match at Hong Kong Stadium with Ulster's Jared Payne at fullback behind centre Elliot Daly and his Wasps team-mate Sam Jones at openside flanker.

Young did not include Hong Kong's Rowan Varty in his 23-man match day squad after he played in the Barbarians 40-12 loss to England at Twickenham last Saturday.

Teams:

Lions:

TBA

Barbarians:

15 Jared Payne (Ulster/NZL), 14 Joe Rokocoko (Bayonne/NZL), 13 Elliot Daly (London Wasps/ENG), 12 Casey Laulala (Munster/NZL), 11 Takudzwa Ngwenya (Biarritz Olympique/USA), 10 Nick Evans (Harlequins/NZL), 9 Dimitri Yachvili (Biarritz Olympique/FRA), 8 Sergio Parisse (captain, Stade Francais/ITA), 7 Sam Jones (London Wasps/ENG), 6 Samu Manoa (Northampton/USA), 5 Dean Mumm (Exeter Chiefs/AUS), 4 Marco Wentzel (London Wasps/RSA), 3 Martin Castrogiovanni (Leicester/ITA), 2 Schalk Brits (Saracens/RSA), 1 Paul James (Bath/WAL)

Substitutes: 16 Leonardo Ghiraldini (Benetton Treviso/ITA), 17 Duncan Jones (Ospreys/WAL), 18 Andrea Lo Cicero (Racing Metro 92/ITA),19  Jim Hamilton (Gloucester/SCO), 20 Imanol Harinordoquy (Biarritz Olympique/FRA), 21 Kahn Fotuali'i (Ospreys/SAM), 22 James Hook (Perpignan/WAL), 23 Mike Tindall (Gloucester/ENG)/Rowan Varty

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
33% - 1816 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1774 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1082 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 459 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 186 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
5% - 252 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE