Perenara to lead Barbarians v Springboks

TJ Perenara will captain a star-studded Barbarian F.C. side to take on South Africa in the YesPlay Cup on Saturday (15:00).

The 89-cap All Black is one of 19 internationals from 11different nations coming together for the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium clash against the world champions.

Having represented the famous invitational club against Fiji in 2013, Perenara partners Toulon and Argentina ace Tomas Albornoz at half-back.

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.

Wester Force and Los Pumas lock Franco Molina partners Bayonne’s Alex Moon in a towering second-row.

Harlequins and Argentina stalwart Guido Petti and Panasonic Wild Knights’ Lachlan Boshier are named on the flanks with Samoa sensation Miracle Fai’ilagi pulling on the number eight jersey.

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 Uraguay’s Santiago Arata.

Barbarian F.C.

Warrick Gelant; Andrew Kellaway, Virimi Vakatawa, Alex Nankivell, Duhan van der Merwe; Tomás Albornoz, TJ Perenara (capt); Mayko Vivas, Elliot Dee, D’Arcy Rae, Franco Molina, Alex Moon, Lachlan Boshier, Miracle Fai’ilagi.

Replacements: Leonel Oviedo, Oli Kebble, Pedro Delgado, Izack Rodda, Liam McConnell, Santiago Arata, Harry Plummer, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre