Robbie Deans
Bernard Laporte
Two of the most experienced coaches in world rugby, Robbie Deans of New Zealand and France’s Bernard Laporte, will take charge of a star-studded World XV for their match against the Springboks at DHL Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday, July 11.
Deans was in charge of a Barbarians team that beat an Ireland XV, 22 / 21, in Limerick, Ireland on Thursday night and who were hammered by 73 / 12 by an England XV side on Sunday at Twickenham.
The DHL Newlands clash will be the Springboks’ season-opener and it promises to deliver festival rugby. Last year in the corresponding fixture, more than 30,000 spectators flocked to DHL Newlands to see the South Africans beat a strong World XV by 47 / 13, with Heyneke Meyer’s side scoring 6 tries in the process.
“Between them, Robbie and Bernard are 2 of the most experienced coaches in world rugby since the game turned professional 2 decades ago,” said Jurie Roux, CEO of the South African Rugby Union (SARU).
“Under Robbie, the Crusaders won 5 Vodacom Super Rugby titles, he was also assistant All Blacks coach and took charge of the Wallabies for 6 years, including a victory in the Castle Lager Rugby Championships in 2011.
“Bernard’s been 1 of the biggest names in French rugby. He coached their national side from 1999 to 2007, won the Six Nations 4 times, and has been with Toulon recently as they dominated the European rugby scene, with 3 consecutive victories in the Heineken and Champions Cup.
“The experience they bring to the World XV will make this a very formidable outfit and will provide the Springboks with a proper test as they get this very important season underway.”
The 55-year-old Deans is currently involved with the Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan, but also coached the Barbarians this week for their matches against Ireland, which took place on Thursday, and England.
Laporte, 50, is a former French Secretary of State for Sport. Apart from France and Toulon, he also coached former French club champions Stade Français and Bordeaux-Begles.
The names of players selected for the World XV will be released in due course.
Note: Tickets cost from R 100.00 – R 550.00 and will go on sale mid-June from the DHL Newlands ticket office, Computicket outlets nationwide or online at wprugby.computicket.com.