Ireland rugby legend Peter O’Mahony will captain the Barbarians in his final rugby outing when the famous invitational side takes on the Springboks on Saturday.
O’Mahony will lead a team packed with international quality to take on the Boks in Cape Town, the first time the Barbarians have faced them on South African soil.
Fellow Ireland Test centurion Cian Healy, who will also call time on his rugby career on Saturday, packs down at loosehead alongside France’s Camille Chat and Samoan tighthead Paul Alo-Emile.
DHL Stormers lock Ruben van Heerden lines up against his fellow countrymen in the second row and partners with England’s David Ribbans, who was born and raised in South Africa.
The Barbarians' back-row is packed with international experience, with skipper O’Mahony featuring alongside former All Black captain Sam Cane and Shannon Frizell.
Livewire scrumhalf Tawera Kerr-Barlow partners with Chief’s Josh Jacomb at half-back. New Zealanders Peter Umaga-Jensen and Leicester Fainga’anuku line up in the midfield with fellow Kiwis Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkins and Mark Tele’a on the wings. France’s Malvyn Jaminet starts at fullback.
The star studied line-up continues on the bench, Ricky Riccitelli, Hassane Kolingar and Will Collier providing the front-row cover. Josh Beehre, Hoskins Sotutu and Lachlan Boshier complete the forward replacements. Santiago Arata and Joe Marchant provide the back-line cover.
“This side is packed with experience and exciting players, and we are looking forward to going out there and expressing ourselves on Saturday,” said Barbarians head coach Robbie Deans.
“This is the first time a South African crowd have got to see the Barbarians face the Springboks on home soil, and it’s going to be a great fixture.
“The boys have come in and connected really well, those connections are helping drive us on the field, and we are looking forward to showing that against the World Champions on Saturday.”
Barbarians F.C. team to face the Springboks:
- Cian Healy
- Camille Chat
- Paul Alo-Emile
- Ruben van Heerden
- David Ribbans
- Peter O’Mahony (captain)
- Sam Cane
- Shannon Frizell
- Tawera Kerr-Barlow
- Josh Jacomb
- Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkins
- Peter Umaga-Jensen
- Leicester Fainga’anuku
- Mark Telea
- Melvyn Jaminet
Replacements:
- Ricky Ricatelli
- Hassane Kolingar
- Will Collier
- Josh Beehre
- Hoskins Sotutu
- Santiago Arata
- Joe Marchant
- Lachlan Boshier