Preview: South Africa A v England Saxons

However, Bloemfontein will set the stage on Friday with a tasty morsel.

For both hosts South Africa, who are represented by their A-Team (just another word for second string), and England (who named their back-up squad the Saxons) there is a lot riding on the game.

Most importantly it is an opportunity for a large collection of fringe players, on both sides, to stick their hands up and remind their respective national coaches that they are worthy of higher honours.

It also allows both countries to test their depth.

At least one Saxons player in the Saxons squad knows what to expect at the Free State Stadium.

Sale Sharks fullback Mike Haley played for a season with the Border Bulldogs in the First Division and knows that the physical battle will be key to the game.

"I trained in South Africa for a month before playing against the likes of Bulls, Sharks and Western Province, so I've played against a few of these tough South African boys," he said in an interview on the England website.

"You know their teams are going to be powerful and try to put you on the back foot," he added.

However, the SA A side may have a more adventurous approach than some of the opposition Haley encountered on his brief stay in South Africa.

SA A coach Johan Ackermann feels he has the right mix of experienced and youthful exuberance for a game where he has had five days to prepare his charges.

"There is a lot of value in having players with Test and Super Rugby experience working with these youngsters," Ackermann said of his team.

"I'm sure we'll see some excitement on the field on Friday.

"But we're up against a very formidable opponent and the Saxons have been together for a long time already, so our players know that they have to sharp, focused and on top of their game for the full 80 minutes on Friday."

Players to watch:

For South Africa A:  The four members of the Springbok squad that was sent down to the A Team for some game time will have the spotlight firmly on them. Garth April (flyhalf), Nic Groom (scrumhalf), Sikhumbuzo Notshe (flank) and Siyabonga Ntubeni (hooker) will have to lead from the front – as does captain Teboho Mohoje..

For England Saxons: Flyhalf Danny Cipriani would like to use the opportunity to stake his claims for a a recall to the England squad currently touring Australia. Cipriani is one of eight players included in the squad that already have senior England experience. The 14-times capped flyhalf is joined in the 26-man squad by full internationals Kieran Brookes, Dave Attwood, Matt Kvesic, Christian Wade, Semesa Rokoduguni, Tommy Taylor and Ollie Devoto. However, the most significant selection in the Saxons team is former Stormers and Western Province utility forward Don Armand, who play on the flank for his adopted country.

Head to head: The most exiting must surely be at flyhalf, where Garth April (South Africa) will continue his fairytale rise of the past 12 months when he fronts up to seasoned Saxons No.10 Danny Cipriani. Another veteran versus rookie showdown is at lock, where 23-times capped Dave Attwood (who will captain the Saxons) comes up against John Schickerling of the SA A squad – another young player who has come back from a near career-ending neck injury to rise to prominence this year.

Prediction: Does the result really matter? Is this not the kind of match where you look at individuals rather that the team? Perhaps it is not that simple. It is still South Africa versus England. The visitors do have a bit more experience, but the South Africans are on home turf and could sneak the win – by eight points.

Teams:

South Africa A: 15 Leolin Zas, 14 Travis Ismaiel, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Howard Mnisi, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Garth April, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Teboho Mohoje (captain), 6 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 John Schickerling, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Siyabonga Ntubeni, 1 Thomas du Toit.

Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Coenie Oosthuizen, 19 Rudolph Snyman, 20 Jean-Luc du Preez, 21 Piet van Zyl, 22 Francois Brummer, 23 Lukhanyo Am.

England Saxons: 15 Mike Haley, 14 Alex Lewington, 13 Nick Tompkins, 12 Ollie Devoto, 11 Semesa Rokoduguni, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Dan Robson, 8 Sam Jones, 7 Matt Kvesic, 6 Don Armand, 5 Charlie Ewels, 4 Dave Attwood (captain), 3 Kieran Brookes, 2 Tommy Taylor, 1 Alec Hepburn.

Replacements: 16 George McGuigan, 17 Ross Harrison, 18 Jake Cooper-Woolley, 19 Mitch Lees, 20 Dave Ewers, 21 Micky Young, 22 Sam James, 23 Christian Wade.

Date: Friday, June 10

Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein

Kick-off: 19.10 (18.10 England time; 17.10 GMT)

Expected weather: The day will be nice with intervals of clouds and sunshine, while it will turn to partly cloudy in the evening. It will be a high of 22°C and a low of 4°C

Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge (South Africa)

Assistant referees: Lourens van der Merwe (South Africa), Jaco Kotze (South Africa)

TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)

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