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Cape Town - Nick Mallett has assured rugby fans that his World XV side to face the Springboks would be a competitive and serious outfit.
Mallett was earlier this week confirmed as coach of the team to face the Springboks at Newlands on June 7.
All Black legend Carl Hayman and Bok World Cup winner BJ Botha have been named as front-rankers in the first release of confirmed participants named by organisers.
The backline will feature Wallabies James O’Connor, Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell as well as All Black wing Hosea Gear.
France will be represented by No 8 Julien Bonnaire and inside back François Trinh-Duc, while Toulon-based England flank Steffon Armitage is part of a Six Nations triumvirate.
The rest of the squad will be named later.
Mallett, who coached the Barbarians to victories over the All Blacks (2009) and Springboks (2010), insisted that his team would not come just to have a good time - as it often the case with Barbarian teams of late.
"My message to the players would be to expect a very tough Test. The Springboks play a Test series against Wales later in June and a match against Scotland. With places in the Rugby Championship at stake, they will try play out of their skins," Mallett told Die Burger's website.
Mallett said this game would be a tougher assignment to the Barbarians ones he had in the past.
"The Barbarians game is played on a neutral field against a team from the Southern Hemisphere, which is not at full strength, at the end of the season. This game is a much tougher proposition.
"If the guys think they are coming for a party, then they'll get a massive hiding. However, they're guys who have had great international careers and they'll want to do their best against the second best team in the world."
Mallett also confirmed that former Stormers and Kings coach Alan Solomons would be his assistant for the game.
Mallett was earlier this week confirmed as coach of the team to face the Springboks at Newlands on June 7.
All Black legend Carl Hayman and Bok World Cup winner BJ Botha have been named as front-rankers in the first release of confirmed participants named by organisers.
The backline will feature Wallabies James O’Connor, Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell as well as All Black wing Hosea Gear.
France will be represented by No 8 Julien Bonnaire and inside back François Trinh-Duc, while Toulon-based England flank Steffon Armitage is part of a Six Nations triumvirate.
The rest of the squad will be named later.
Mallett, who coached the Barbarians to victories over the All Blacks (2009) and Springboks (2010), insisted that his team would not come just to have a good time - as it often the case with Barbarian teams of late.
"My message to the players would be to expect a very tough Test. The Springboks play a Test series against Wales later in June and a match against Scotland. With places in the Rugby Championship at stake, they will try play out of their skins," Mallett told Die Burger's website.
Mallett said this game would be a tougher assignment to the Barbarians ones he had in the past.
"The Barbarians game is played on a neutral field against a team from the Southern Hemisphere, which is not at full strength, at the end of the season. This game is a much tougher proposition.
"If the guys think they are coming for a party, then they'll get a massive hiding. However, they're guys who have had great international careers and they'll want to do their best against the second best team in the world."
Mallett also confirmed that former Stormers and Kings coach Alan Solomons would be his assistant for the game.
