BaaBaas loading up on Stormers
SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks will find several familiar faces in the opposing team, the Barbarians, in their non-cap international in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.
Earlier this week, the BaaBaas unveiled 11-cap Bok Warrick Gelant as one of their most recent recruits in a growing list of global stars.
On Tuesday, he was joined by Stormers teammate and Scotland international Oliver Kebble.
Kebble, 33 and the son of four-times capped Bok Guy Kebble, joined his BaaBaas teammates for a training session at the UCT field, the Green Mile, in Cape Town.
Speaking to @JanDKrugby, Kebble, capped 12 times by Scotland, said he was having lunch with his father when the BaaBaas’ call-up call came.
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“At least I could share it with him first,” he said, confirming that it would be his third rodeo with the famous invitation club.
Apart from Kebble and Gelant, the BaaBaas will feature international stars from across the world, including South African-born Scotland wing Duhan van der Merwe, All Black TJ Perenara, Wallaby flyer Andrew Kellaway, Argentine Tomás Albornoz and Uruguay scrumhalf Santiago Arata, as well as Scotland squad players D’Arcy Rae and Liam McConnell.
They will be coached by former All Black mentor Scott Robertson and Argentine master Felipe Contepomi.
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“You need to be fit at the right time,” Kebble told @rugby365com, adding: “There are international selections and club selections you have to get around.
“To bring so many special players into one room, and I always pinch myself sitting across them in a team room, some of the best guys in their positions in the team room, is special.
“It is a unique and special occasion, because not everyone gets the invite.
“You have to make the most of it if you do get invited.”
Kebble said all the pressure is on the Boks, as it is a one-off game for the carefree BaaBaas, who can give it a full crack without the additional pressure of retaining their place.
“We’re just having fun,” the burly prop added.
Saturday will be his first time opposing the Boks as a BaaBaas player.
Perenara, a former All Blacks vice-captain, will bring 89 Tests’ worth of experience, flair and attacking instincts to the Barbarians squad.
Wallaby speedster Kellaway, who has 49 caps for Australia, will be joined in the backline by Argentine flyhalf Tomás Albornoz and Uruguay scrumhalf Santiago Arata.
@JanDKrugby
@rugby365com
* Picture credit: @Barbarian_FC
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