Rugby

SA trio in Barbarians XV to face Springboks at Wembley

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Rob du Preez, Akker van der Merwe and Martin Muller will start for the Barbarians in Saturday’s clash with the Boks at Wembley Stadium, while Ruan Ackermann and French-based Schalk van der Merwe will play off the bench.

Du Preez (pictured above) will start at flyhalf, while Van der Merwe and Muller will pack down in the tight five, with Ackermann selected among the replacements.

There are seven internationals in the match-day squad, with All Blacks World Cup-winner Andy Ellis named as skipper.

‘This new team has come together, we’re getting on well and we’re having fun and now it’s just about fronting up and making sure we perform at the weekend,’ Ellis commented. ‘We understand how proud the Barbarians are and we’ve got a real job to do here.’

After facing the Boks, the Barbarians will play the Czech Republic in Prague and then take on Fiji in Belfast.

Barbarians – 15 Melani Nanai (Blues), 14 Matt Faddes (Highlanders), 13 Seta Tamanivalu (Crusaders), 12 Richard Buckman (Highlanders), 11 Taqele Naiyaravoro (Waratahs), 10 Robert du Preez (Stormers), 9 Andy Ellis (Crusaders, c), 8 Luke Whitelock (Highlanders), 7 Jordan Taufua (Crusaders), 6 Brad Shields (Hurricanes), 5 Michael Fatialofa (Hurricanes), 4 Martin Muller (Lions), 3 Paddy Ryan (Waratahs), 2 Akker van der Merwe (Lions), 1 Reggie Goodes (Hurricanes).
Subs: 16 Andrew Ready (Reds), 17 Schalk van der Merwe (Montpellier), 18 Toby Smith (Rebels), 19 Sam Carter (Brumbies), 20 Ruan Ackermann (Lions), 21 Nic Stirzaker (Rebels), 22 Richard Mo’unga (Crusaders), 23 Luke Morahan (Force).
Photo: Carl Fourie/Gallo Images