World XV the BaaBaas in disguise?

 

The announcement of some of the marque players in the World XV to play the Springboks in Cape Town bares remarkable similarities to the Barbarians squad that is set to play England a week earlier.

 

A limited BaaBaa's squad of 14 players have been named so far to take on England at Twickenham on June 1.

 

There is a lot of overlap in that squad with the players that have been named in the early stages for the World XV squad, who face the Springboks a week later on June 7.

 

Australians, Matt Giteau, James O’Connor and Drew Mitchell will be playing in both games.

 

The French duo of Julian Bonnaire and Francois Trinh Duc will also be busy come the first two weeks in June.

 

Toulon-based England back row forward Steffon Armitage and All Back legend Carl Hayman have also booked themselves for both matches.

 

That makes it seven out of the 14 named BaaBaas to play the Springboks as the World XV; all it needs now if for the famous black and white hoops to name former Springbok coach Nick Mallet as coach to truly alert suspicions.

 

If this were to become a reality it would mean the majority of the World XV would already have a game in hand over the Springboks who would be coming together for the first time in the international season.