Barbarians bring in high-profile Saffa for Springboks
SQUAD UPDATE: The Barbarians have received a triple boost ahead of their match against the Springboks on Saturday, June 20.
The side have called up Duhan van der Merwe, TJ Perenara and Kyle Sinckler.
First up for the Barbarians will be World Champions South Africa in Port Elizabeth before heading to the UK to take on Wales at Allianz Stadium as part of a double head with Barbarians Women taking on Wales Women.
Scotland and British & Irish Lion wing van der Merwe will wear the famous black and white jersey for the first time and will line up against his country of birth South Africa and features alongside fellow Scotland squad players D’Arcy Rae and Liam McConnell in the invitational squad.
All three have been selected in collaboration with Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend to ensure they have game time ahead of July’s Nations Championship and will link up with Scotland post their Barbarians outings.
Van der Merwe and Rae featuring for the South Africa game only.
Former All Blacks vice-captain and one of New Zealand rugby’s most respected leaders, Perenara, whose experience, flair and attacking instincts epitomise the Barbarians spirit will once again link up with the club.
England prop Kyle Sinckler brings his trademark energy, dynamism and vast international experience to the squad, adding further quality to the forward pack and Sinckler will be feature in the second tour game v Wales.
Argentine international flyhalf Tomás Albornoz, whose creativity and attacking vision have made him one of the standout playmakers in world rugby is named along with Australian international Andrew Kellaway who brings versatility, counterattacking threat and proven Test-match pedigree.
Uruguay scrumhalf Santiago Arata adds his trademark tempo and attacking spark.
Further squad announcements will be made in due course
“I can’t wait to join up with the Barbarians,” Van der Merwe said, adding: “It is a massive honour and opportunity to represent them, it’s something I’ve always wanted to be part of so to get this opportunity is massive.
“The Barbarians is a rugby institution and have some tough tests coming.
“To play for them against the World Champions will be a massive challenge and one I’m really looking forward too.
“It was frustrating the way our season ended with Edinburgh so to have the chance to get minutes in the legs ahead of the Scotland games in the Nations Championship will be really beneficial.”
