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'Rugby needs BaaBaas spirit'

Cape Town - Springbok captain Jean de Villiers says the Barbarians' existence is important to have in the modern era of rugby.

De Villiers will lead the BaaBaas when they tackle Fiji at Twickenham on Saturday. The match will celebrate the centenary season of the Fiji Rugby Union and is a rematch of the famous game in 1970 when they defeated the Barbarians 29-9.

In an interview with the SA Rugbymag website, De Villiers said the friendship part of rugby has been lost in the professional era and Saturday's game provides the opportunity for players to sit down afterwards and have a drink  together and share their views on the game.

The Bok captain also believes the Barbarians can still keep pace with the modern game and expects a free-flowing running game against a team renowned for giving the ball air.

The Barbarians match-day 23 features eight Springboks, eight All Blacks, five Argentinians and a Samoan and Irishman.

New Zealand's Steve Hansen is the coach.

Teams:

Barbarians:

15 Santiago Cordera, 14 Frank Halai, 13 Gavin Williams, 12 Jean de Villiers (captain), 11 Charles Piutau, 10 Patrick Lambie, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Steven Luatua, 5 Dominic Bird, 4 Mick O'Driscoll, 3 Matias Diaz, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.

Substitutes: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Guillermo Ruan, 18 Coenie Oosthuizen, 19 Manuel Carizza, 20 Luke Whitelock, 21 Martin Landajo, 22 Tom Taylor, 23 Willie le Roux.

Fiji:

TBA
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