Springbok Stars Accept Barbarians' Invitations Against All Blacks

The Barbarians have already confirmed a host of world-class players and a highly regarded coaching team for their big clash against the All Blacks at Twickenham on 5th December.

Among the first batch of stars to accept invitations to play for the world-famous club are Springboks Bryan Habana, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Fourie Du Preez, Pierre Spies and Juan Smith, plus Wallabies Matt Giteau and Stirling Mortlock.  While adding spice to the mouthwatering fixture will be Pumas' points machine, Juan Martin Hernandez.

Taking charge of the squad's preparation will be former Springbok and current Italy coach Nick Mallett, assisted by Alan Solomons.

Mortlock, Matfield, Smith, Spies and Hernandez will be making their Baa-Baas' debuts but several others on both sides will be no strangers to the unique atmosphere and challenge of a Barbarians v touring team encounter.

Giteau was a member of the team that defeated the Springboks at Twickenham two years ago while Habana and du Preez was in another star-studded line-up that took on Australia in the London Olympic celebration match at Wembley last December.

Barbarian president Micky Steele-Bodger said, “Matches between the club and the All Blacks have always had a special resonance. The classic game in 1973 remains an obvious memory for everyone but over the years the Barbarian club has continued to have positive links with the New Zealand rugby fraternity in general.

“Though they will be on the opposing side next December, the likes of Richie McCaw, Joe Rokocoko, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith and Luke McAlister have all accepted invitations to play for the Barbarians in the last couple of years.

“Of course the quality of the All Blacks speaks for itself but we are confident that we will complete the recruitment of an outstanding squad ourselves for what promises to be yet another mouthwatering match.”

He added, “Such a glittering squad deserves top quality coaches and we are delighted that Nick Mallett, a former Barbarian in his own right in his playing days, and Alan Solomons, who has coached with us previously and very successfully, have also accepted invitations for the match.”

This year's pre-Christmas extravaganza is the latest in a series of ten fixtures between the two matches that stretches back to 1954. It will be the fifth time they have met at Twickenham and the first since 2004.

Tickets are on sale via ticketmaster.co.uk / 0844 847 2492
Prices range from £35 to £65 for adults, £17.50 to £32.50 for juniors (under-16) and special family tickets (two adults, two juniors) at £31.25