Two World Cup-winning Springboks to start for Barbarians against Wales

Faf de Klerk will captain the Barbarians when they take on Wales at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium on Saturday, a week after helping South Africa beat the invitational side in Gqeberha.

The two-time Rugby World Cup winner scored off the bench in the Springboks’ 80-31 victory last weekend, but will now lead his former opponents in a side featuring 19 internationals from 11 different nations.

De Klerk is not the only double World Cup-winning Springbok in the starting XV, with veteran tighthead Vincent Koch named in the front-row alongside Georgia’s Giorgi Kharaishvili and Wales hooker Elliot Dee, who will face his fellow countrymen.

Former All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has opted for a physically imposing pack, with Wallabies pair Izack Rodda and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto joined by France lock Romain Taofifénua and ex-England No.8 Nathan Hughes.

In the backs, De Klerk will partner former New Zealand fly-half Harry Plummer, while Virimi Vakatawa, Andrew Kellaway and Tom Spring form the back three. Wales legend George North, meanwhile, is set for the final appearance of his professional career after being named among the replacements.

Fixture

Rugby Union Hybrid Friendlies

Barbarians

31 - 33

Full-time

Wales

All Stats and Data

“It’s great to have a player of Faf’s quality and experience leading the group this week,” Robertson said.

“We have a group packed with talent, who have come together from all over the world.

“Faf is such a fierce competitor, he knows how to run a week, so he is driving the boys but he also fully embraces the Barbarian spirit and hits the right balance.”

“We are looking forward to another great occasion at Twickenham and the fact that it’s a double-header with the women is awesome.

“We have picked a team to really challenge Wales. It’s a big team, with a bit of a Top 14 core, but we also want to move the ball, play what’s on and entertain what is hopefully a big crowd.

“It’s an awesome opportunity for this talented group to show what they are all about. They are all here because they have a super talent and we want them to express themselves.”

Barbarians XV
15 Tom Spring, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Jeremy Ward, 12 Alex Nankivell, 11 Virimi Vakatawa, 10 Harry Plummer, 9 Faf de Klerk (captain), 1 Giorgi Kharaishvili, 2 Elliot Dee, 3 Vincent Koch, 4 Izack Rodda, 5 Romain Taofifénua, 6 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 7 Lachlan Boshier, 8 Nathan Hughes
Replacements: 16 Harry Thacker, 17 Jack Iscaro, 18 Paul Alo-Emile, 19 Yoan Tanga, 20 Jordan Joseph, 21 Santiago Arata, 22 George North, 23 Liam McConnell