Wikus van Heerden: Saracens captain gunning for familiar foes
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The Springboks' second non-international match of their November tour takes them to the all-new Wembley Stadium on Tuesday to face Saracens.
On the one side, the World Champions on the road. On the other, a London club currently sitting top of the English league but with a penchant for nomadic living and players. On the one side, fifteen South Africans. On the other, ten.
Ten? Wikus van Heerden will captain a Saracens team containing ten South African-born players. It's a team coached by South Africans and run in part by a couple of them. There'll be a distinctly exported kind of flavour to the air at England's latest example of building mis-management.
South Africa's tour is not going well. The first team is being beaten in the first-rate games, the second team was mauled by Leicester in the second-rate games, so to speak. The great campaign of 2009 is running out of steam.
There is a fair bit of pressure on this team on Tuesday, for they were not at all good against Leicester. Saracens do not have such a punishing scrum, but they are England's form team and offer a myriad of threats if given the opportunity. There's nothing like ten chaps from one country trying to put one over on their own national team either.
Director of Rugby Brendan Venter has described the match as a 'historic occasion' and says it is one which he and his players are very excited to be a part of.
World Cup winner van Heerden will captain the Sarries side for the flank in a matchday squad that also includes fellow Springbok internationals Neil de Kock, Derick Hougaard and Schalk Brits.
England Saxons stars Brad Barritt, Noah Cato, Alex Goode and Andy Saull will also get the chance to test themselves on the international stage against the touring side at the iconic Wembley Stadium.
"It's going to be a fantastic occasion. To have the chance to face an international side is an honour but to face the World Champions at Wembley Stadium is something very special," said Venter, who squares up his coaching with a fellow former Springbok centre in Dick Muir
"It's a great opportunity for the players in our side and there will also be a few familiar faces on either side.
"Both squads got together for a meal on Sunday night and it was fantastic for the players and coaches to just sit down and have a chat and also see a few friendships renewed. But come kick-off on Tuesday night, both teams will want to win what promises to be a fiercely contested game and a historic occasion at one of the best sporting venues in the world."
Let us hope so, for neither side is renowned for adventure this year. But both are capable and in a midweek match likely to be marked by oodles of passion, should the teams get into the mood the fans will be in for a treat.
The teams:
Saracens: 15 Michael Horak, 14 Noah Cato, 13 Kameli Ratuvou, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Michael Tagicakibau, 10 Derick Hougaard, 9 Neil de Kock, 8 Ernst Joubert, 7 Justin Melck, 6 Wikus van Heerden (captain), 5 Hugh Vyvyan, 4 Mouritz Botha, 3 Richard Skuse, 2 Ethienne Reynecke, 1 Rhys Gill.
Replacements: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 Carlos Nieto, 18 George Kruis, 19 Andy Saull, 20 Kevin Barrett, 21 Alex Goode, 22 Rodd Penney.
South Africa: 15 Earl Rose, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Jongi Nokwe, 10 Ruan Pienaar, 9 Heini Adams, 8 Ashley Johnson, 7 Dewald Potgieter (captain), 6 Jean Deysel, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Danie Rossouw, 3 CJ van der Linde, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Wian du Preez.
Replacements: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Heinke van der Merwe, 18 Alistair Hargreaves, 19 Davon Raubenheimer, 20 François Hougaard, 21 Meyer Bosman, 22 Riaan Viljoen.
Date: Tuesday, November 17
Venue: Wembley Stadium, London
Kick-off: 19.45 (19.45 GMT)
Weather: Dry, 13°C, but a fair south-westerly breeze.
Referee: James Jones (Wales)
Assistant referees: Rob Debney (England), Paul Dix (England)
TMO: Brian Abrahams (England)
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