Barbarians’ All Blacks leadership duo highlight Springboks’ key strength which makes them ‘a very good team’
Barbarians head coach Scott Robertson and captain TJ Perenara (inset).
Barbarians head coach Scott Robertson and captain TJ Perenara are under no illusions about what the famous invitational team can expect when they take on the Springboks in Gqeberha on Saturday.
Former All Blacks boss Robertson and scrum-half Perenara are part of a strong New Zealand contingent in the Baa-baas matchday squad for the eagerly anticipated encounter.
Apart from the experienced leadership duo, Munster’s Maori All Blacks representative Alex Nankivell and former Chiefs and New Zealand U20 player Lachlan Boshier have also been named in the Barbarians’ starting line-up at inside centre and openside flanker respectively.
Meanwhile, Clermont’s one-Test All Blacks fly-half Harry Plummer has been included on the replacements bench.
Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has named a matchday squad which consists of a healthy mix of experienced and youthful players and Perenara highlighted the depth in the world champions’ ranks as one of their strengths.
‘The depth of that squad is amazing’
“No, they’re a very good team,” said the 34-year-old, who currently plies his trade with Ricoh Black Rams in Japan. “The depth of that squad is amazing. I think whoever they put out there is going to be really, really good.”
Robertson echoed those sentiments and said although the Boks will use Saturday’s encounter to blood some new players ahead of next month’s Nations Championship Tests against England, Scotland and Wales, he knows they can expect a tough battle against their hosts.
“If you put the Springbok jersey on, if you’re representing it, Rassie’s not going to pick someone that hasn’t deserved it,” he said.
“I just like the mix of the U20 boys that have come through and the opportunities they’ve been given. He does that really well.
‘It’s a hell of a mixed team’
“There’s a few boys coming back from injuries and it’s a hell of a mixed team, but they’ve got a lot of experience, and they’ll be proud as they move out.”
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The big talking point from the Springboks’ team announcement was the selection of Lions full-back Quan Horn as the starting fly-half.
Although this will be the first time the 24-year-old wears the number 10 jersey during his professional career, Robertson expects him to give a good account of himself.
“He’s a naturally talented footballer. He can go (from) 15 to 10,” he said.
“He’s got a hell of a… That’s really all I can say. If he’s playing, he’ll be good enough for sure.”