5 of South Africa’s major stars will join the Barbarians line-up for 2 high-profile games this November.
Flyhalf Pat Lambie, lock Victor Matfield, prop Tendai Mtawarira and centre Jean de Villiers from the current Springbok squad will be joined by veteran forward Bakkies Botha against Gloucester on 17 November and Argentina on 21 November.
The Barbarians, who celebrate their 125th anniversary this year, will name their coach later this month and add further major names to their squad for the games at Kingsholm and Twickenham in due course.
In total, the South Africa quintet will bring 416 caps of international experience to the group. Botha, Matfield and De Villiers were all World Cup winners in France in 2007.
“These are players of the highest quality and we are delighted to welcome them back into the fold – all 5 have represented the club with distinction in recent years,” said Barbarians president Micky Steele-Bodger.
It will be the 3rd time the Barbarians have visited Kingsholm after games against Ireland there in 2008 and 2012.
Gloucester Rugby CEO Stephen Vaughan commented: “We’ve worked hard to establish Kingsholm’s credentials as a top class venue capable of hosting international rugby, the 4 forthcoming Rugby World Cup fixtures are evidence of that.
“But this game will be a very special occasion and I’m sure that it will be a career highlight for a number of our players and an occasion that our supporters will relish.”
The Barbarians also take on Samoa at the former Olympic Stadium on 29 August with coach and squad details to be released in due course.
Sport24