The Barbarians have added three Test centurions to their playing stocks ahead of the clash against the Springboks in Cape Town next month.
The encounter on Saturday, 28 June at the DHL Stadium is the first time that the two sides will meet on South African soil with former Wallabies and Crusaders boss Robbie Deans coaching the invitational team along with ex-All Blacks lock Sam Whitelock.
Legendary trio join Baabaas squad
Deans has added a wealth of experience in the form of Irish duo Conor Murray and Peter O’Mahony, who both announced their retirement from international rugby during this year’s Six Nations.
Murray is set to continue his career at club level, though he will leave Munster, while O’Mahony brings the curtain down on his illustrious career in Cape Town.
Joining the Irish legends in the squad is former All Blacks captain Sam Cane, with the trio set to make their BaaBaas debut.
Flanker O’Mahony played the first of his 114 Tests for Ireland in 2012, captaining the side from flanker, and was a member of their squad in five Six Nations Championship victories. He also played one Test for the British & Irish Lions, against New Zealand in 2017, and skippered the side on the day.
Murray made his Test debut in 2011, played 125 Tests for Ireland and eight for the British & Irish Lions. The experienced scrum-half featured in all three Tests against the Springboks in Cape Town in 2021, and toured Australia (2013) and New Zealand (2017).
Cane, a member of New Zealand’s Rugby World Cup-winning squad in 2015, plays with Cheslin Kolbe at Tokyo Sungoliath in Japan. The flanker is a former All Blacks captain who made his Test debut in 2012 and finished his international career with 104 caps.
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More exciting additions to come
“They’ve named the first three players who will be running out onto the pitch – Peter O’Mahony, Conor Murray and Sam Cane – and we have no doubt they will name several more top-class players in the coming weeks, so this match will set the tone for us to switch into full-out competitive mode from the outset,” said Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus.
“I’ve worked with Peter and Conor before, and we know Sam very well – they are quality players with a lot of experience, which will serve as a great test at the start of a big season.
“We are very excited about the season ahead, and as a team, we are blessed to enjoy such passionate support from our fans throughout the country. We are busy putting the building blocks in place for the season, which starts in a little over a month against the Barbarians.”
Deans adds that the Baabaas are in the process of finalising their squad which will include players from European clubs, Super Rugby and the Japan Rugby League one competition.
“We are in the process of finalising a really exciting squad for the match against the Springboks in Cape Town at the end of June,” he said.
“It will be a blend of high-profile global international stars, and other stand-out performers from European clubs, Super Rugby and the Japanese league.
“Peter and Conor have been an integral part of the Irish team for nearly 15 years and both have amassed over hundred caps for their country and represented the British & Irish Lions on a number of tours. Sam is also a Test centurion, played in the last three Rugby World Cups and captained the All Blacks from 2020-2023.
“All three players experience and leadership qualities will be invaluable during the week both on and off the field and I am delighted they have agreed to play for the Barbarians in this historic game.”
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Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/sam-cane-and-legendary-ireland-duo-added-to-baabaas-squad-for-springboks-clash-as-robbie-deans-promises-more-high-profile-additions
