BaaBaas bring in more big names for Springbok showdown

SQUAD UPDATE: The Barbarians have unveiled two more Test stars who will join their squad for the clash against the Springboks in Cape Town.

The players are Ireland centurion Cian Healy and All Black loose forward Shannon Frizell.

Healy and Frizell, who have 170 Test caps between them, will join Sam Cane, Peter O’Mahony and Conor Murray in Robbie Deans’ squad for the match on Saturday, June 28 at Cape Town Stadium.

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The 37-year-old Healy is not only Ireland’s most capped player but Leinster’s too. He made his Test debut in 2009 and retired from international rugby after the Six Nations earlier this year, having amassed 137 caps in emerald green.

The versatile prop who can pack down on either side of the front row has been central to Leinster’s success and is currently on course to make another United Rugby Final. He was also a member of the British & Irish Lions squad on their victorious tour of Australia in 2013.

Frizell, 31, is well-known to South African rugby fans, having represented New Zealand in 33 Tests, including the World Cup Final in Paris in 2023.

Last year, he moved to Japan where he plays for the Brave Lupus, who were crowned back-to-back Japan Rugby League One champions on Sunday when they defeated the Spears in the Final.

Deans, the Barbarians head coach, said he was delighted that Healy and Frizell have agreed to play in this historic match.

“When putting a squad together, we always look for players who have a number of attributes – versatility, experience, skill set, flair, combinations and know each other’s games at club or international level, but most importantly respect and value the privilege of playing for the Barbarians,” said Deans.

“Cian is hugely experienced both at club and country level and he can play tighthead and loosehead.

“Shannon is an explosive and dynamic loose forward and has played alongside Sam Cane for the All Blacks.”

The Springboks had their second alignment camp recently and with the URC play-offs now in full swing, the national training squad will convene for their first camp in the coming weeks.