All Black Perenara to lead BaaBaas into Bok battle
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Former All Black scrumhalf TJ Perenara will captain a star-studded Barbarian F.C. side to take on the Springboks in the YesPlay Cup on Saturday.
The 89-cap All Black is one of 19 internationals from 11 different nations coming together for the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium clash against the world champions.
*Also read: Rassie springs huge Bok flyhalf surprise for Barbarians clash
Having represented the famous invitational club against Fiji in 2013, Perenara partners Toulon and Argentina ace Tomas Albornoz at halfback.
Munster’s Alex Nankivell partners France international Virimi Vakatawa.
Scotland and British & Irish Lions wing Duhan van der Merwe reunites with former schoolmate Warrick Gelant, who faces his countrymen, while Wallabies wing Andrew Kellaway completes the back three.
There is plenty of size, power and experience in the pack with Gloucester’s Argentinian Mayco Vivas, Dragons RFC and Wales hooker Elliot Dee and Edinburgh and Scotland tight-head D’Arcy Rae forming the front row.
Western Force and Los Pumas lock Franco Molina partners with Bayonne’s Alex Moon in a towering second row.
Harlequins and Argentina stalwart Guido Petti and Wild Knights’ Lachlan Boshier are named on the flanks, with Samoa sensation Miracle Fai’ilagi pulling on the No.8 jersey.
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Barbarian F.C head coach Scott Robertson said: “We are all really excited for Saturday afternoon. To play against the world champions in South Africa is an awesome opportunity.
“We have embraced the Barbarians spirit and tradition this week, coming together as a group and enjoying each other’s company in Cape Town.
“It’s a team packed with talent, guys who have come from all over the world and have a great chance to showcase their ability in Port Elizabeth.
“We want to express ourselves and do the famous black-and-white jersey proud.”
There is a strong South American flavour to the replacements bench with Los Pumas Lionel Oviedo and Pedro Delgado named alongside Uruguay’s Santiago Arata.
Barbarian F.C: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Virimi Vakatawa, 12 Alex Nankivell, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Tomás Albornoz, 9 TJ Perenara (captain), 8 Miracle Fai’ilagi, 7 Lachlan Boshier, 6 Guido Petti, 5 Alex Moon, 4 Franco Molina, 3 D’Arcy Rae, 2 Elliot Dee, 1 Mayko Vivas
Replacements: 16 Leonel Oviedo, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Pedro Delgado, 19 Izack Rodda, 20 Liam McConnell, 21 Santiago Arata, 22 Harry Plummer, 23 Tuidraki Samusamuvodre
Date: Saturday, June 20
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Morné Ferreira (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Griffin Colby (South Africa), Hanru van Rooyen (South Africa)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
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