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11-cap Bok Gelant and van der Merwe to face countrymen in Barbarians clash
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Former Springbok Warrick Gelant has been selected at full-back by Barbarians head coach Scott Robertson for Saturday’s clash against world champions South Africa at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
The 31-year-old, who was last capped by his country in 2022, is part of an all-international back three, which features his former schoolmate and Scotland international Duhan van der Merwe on one wing and Wallaby Andrew Kellaway on the other.
TJ Perenara will captain a star-studded Barbarians squad, which features 19 internationals from 11 different nations.
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Having last represented the famous invitational club against Fiji in 2013, 89-cap All Black Perenara partners Toulon and Argentina ace Tomas Albornoz at half-back.
Munster’s Alex Nankivell teams up with France international Virimi Vakatawa in midfield.
There is plenty of size, power and experience in the pack with Argentinian Mayco Vivas, Dragons and Wales hooker Elliot Dee and Edinburgh and Scotland tight-head D’Arcy Rae forming the front-row.
Meanwhile, new Western Force signing and Los Pumas lock Franco Molina is joined by Bayonne’s Alex Moon in a towering second-row.
Harlequins and Argentina stalwart Guido Petti and Panasonic Wild Knights’ Lachlan Boshier are named on the flanks with Samoa sensation Miracle Fai’ilagi pulling on the No.8 jersey.
“We are all really excited for Saturday afternoon. To play against the world champions in South Africa is an awesome opportunity,” said Robertson.
“We have embraced the Barbarians spirit and tradition this week, coming together as a group and enjoying each other’s company in Cape Town.
“It’s a team packed with talent, guys who have come from all over the world and have a great chance to showcase their ability in Port Elizabeth.
“We want to express ourselves and do the famous black and white jersey proud.”
There is a strong South American flavour to the replacements bench with Los Pumas Lionel Oviedo and Pedro Delgado named alongside Uraguay’s Santiago Arata.
Barbarians: Warrick Gelant; Andrew Kellaway, Virimi Vakatawa, Alex Nankivell, Duhan van der Merwe; Tomás Albornoz, TJ Perenara (capt); Mayko Vivas, Elliot Dee, D’Arcy Rae, Franco Molina, Alex Moon, Guido Petti, Lachlan Boshier, Miracle Fai’ilagi.
Replacements: Leonel Oviedo, Oli Kebble, Pedro Delgado, Izack Rodda, Liam McConnell, Santiago Arata, Harry Plummer, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre.
