Stormers strongman headlines BaaBaas selection

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Head coach Robbie Deans has tapped into the South African forward stocks to supplement his New Zealand-heavy Barbarians squad for Saturday’s match against the Springboks in Cape Town.

Players from across the world touched down in Cape Town at the start of the week, reporting for duty for the BaaBaas.

From a South African point of view, Stormers lock Ruben van Heerden headlines Tuesday’s squad announcement.

He was one of the standouts for the Cape franchise this season, and he gets an opportunity to give Rassie Erasmus and the rest of the Bok coaching staff something to think about.

South African-born England international David Ribbans, who plays for French club Toulon, is the other notable lock in the squad.

He represented Western Province in the early stages of his career before establishing himself as a hard-working lock at Northampton Saints.

Meanwhile, All Blacks Hoskins Sotutu and Mark Telea are a couple of the big names that have been added to the squad.

The Barbarians also brought in France fullback Melvyn Jaminet, who will surely add some guile to the backline.

In terms of physicality in the backs, All Black Leicester Faingaʻanuku can give the Boks a few problems.

Scrumhalf Tawera Kerr-Barlow brings plenty of experience, having won the World Cup with New Zealand back in 2015.

The La Rochelle stalwart also has two Champions Cup winners’ medals.

All Black veteran Sam Cane will captain the side at Cape Town Stadium.

BaaBaas squad

FORWARDS: Cian Healy (Leinster), Will Collier (Castres), Hassane Kolingar (Racing 92), Paul Alo-Emile (Stade Francais), Camille Chat (Lyon), John Ricky Riccitelli (Blues), David Ribbans (Toulon), Ruben van Heerden (Stormers), Josh Beehre (Blues), Hoskins Sotutu (Blues), Peter O’Mahony (Munster), Sam Cane (Sungoliath), Shannon Frizell (Toshiba), Lachlan Boshier (Wild Knights).

BACKS: Tawera Kerr Barlow (La Rochelle), Santiago Arata Perrone (Castres), Melvyn Jaminet (Toulon), Josh Jacomb (Chiefs), Peter Umaga-Jensen (Hurricanes), Leicester Faingaʻanuku (Toulon), Mark Telea (Blues), Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (Highlanders), Joe Marchant (Stade Francais).