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Cape Town - Victor Matfield will take charge of the Barbarians for this week’s matches against Gloucester and Argentina.
Matfield leads the famous 125-year-old invitation side at Kingsholm on Tuesday night (21:45 SA time) before the Killik Cup match against the Pumas at Twickenham on Saturday (17:05).
Against Gloucester, South Africa’s most-capped player captains a starting line-up containing 12 Test players with six World Cup winners in the match-day squad.
World Rugby Breakthrough Player Nehe Milner-Skudder starts at fullback in a stellar backline including Australia’s Joe Tomane, giant Fiji wing Nemani Nadolo and Springbok flyhalf Pat Lambie.
Matfield pairs up with Lood de Jager in the second row with another Springbok legend on the bench in the shape of Bakkies Botha.
Two changes to the Barbarians squad coached by Australia’s Michael Cheika see Brumbies back row forward Jarrad Butler replace Warren Whiteley and prop Thomas du Toit coming in for Tendai Mtawarira.
Barbarians team:
15 Nehe Milner Skudder (Hurricanes & New Zealand), 14 Joe Tomane (Brumbies & Australia), 13 Francois Venter (Cheetahs), 12 Ryan Crotty (Crusaders & New Zealand), 11 Nemani Nadolo (Crusaders & Fiji), 10 Pat Lambie (Sharks & South Africa), 9 Cobus Reinach (Sharks & South Africa), 8 Jarrad Butler (Brumbies), 7 Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), 6 Stephen Hoiles (Waratahs & Australia), 5 Lood de Jager (Cheetahs & South Africa), 4 Victor Matfield (Northampton Saints & South Africa - captain), 3 Toby Smith (Melbourne Rebels & Australia), 2 James Hanson (Reds & Australia), 1 Jamie Mackintosh (Chiefs & New Zealand)
Substitutes (from): 16 Stephen Moore (Brumbies & Australia), 17 Thomas du Toit (Sharks), 18 Charlie Faumuina (Blues & New Zealand), 19 Bakkies Botha (South Africa), 20 Scott Fardy (Brumbies & Australia), 21 Tawera Kerr Barlow (Chiefs & New Zealand), 22 Lima Sopoaga (Highlanders & New Zealand), 23 Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies & Australia), 24 Waisake Naholo (Highlanders & New Zealand)
