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Cheika to coach Bok stars

London - Australia's Michael Cheika will coach a star-studded Barbarians line-up in two high-profile games later this year.

The Wallabies' head coach will take charge of the world famous invitation team when they face Gloucester on November 17 before taking on Argentina on November 21.

The squad will include stellar names from the global game with five of South Africa’s leading internationals the first to accept invitations to play.

Pat Lambie, Victor Matfield, Tendai Mtawarira and Jean De Villiers from the current Springboks' squad will be joined by veteran lock Bakkies Botha for the games at Kingsholm and Twickenham.

Cheika will lead the Wallabies into next month’s World Cup, where they will face England, Wales, Fiji and Uruguay in Pool A before taking on a different sort of challenge when he helps the Barbarians celebrate their 125th anniversary in November.

His first game in charge of the Wallabies was last year’s dramatic 40-36 win over the Barbarians at Twickenham when both sides had the crowd on their feet with their exciting attacking play.

“The Barbarians do a wonderful job of bringing different nations and talent together to celebrate rugby on the world stage,” said Cheika.

“That’s what the Barbarians is all about and we saw this last year when the Wallabies played them in front of a huge crowd at Twickenham.

“There is still a job to be done for the Wallabies in England but I am looking forward to being a part of the Barbarians family, especially in their 125th year.”

The Barbarians also take on Samoa at the former Olympic Stadium in London on August 29 when they will be coached by New Zealanders Jamie Joseph and Carlos Spencer.

 

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