Four potential Lions tourists will team up with their South African opponents when the Barbarians take on Australia at Wembley on Wednesday, December 3.
2005 Lion Shane Williams joins England captain Steve Borthwick, former Leicester centre and 2005 tourist Ollie Smith and Bristol hooker and 1997 squad member Mark Regan in a star-studded line up for a fixture designed to celebrate the centenary of the first London Olympics.
The quartet will be joined by current Springboks Bryan Habana, Jean de Villiers, Fourie du Preez, John Smit, Gurthro Steenkamp, Bakkies Botha and Schalk Burger, and former Bok Percy Montgomery, just six months away from the 2009 Lions tour.
The match follows the conclusion of the world champions’ UK tour, during which time they will have played Tests against Wales, Scotland and England, and gives the British and Irish public another chance to see South Africa’s best players in action in the lead up to the 2009 series.
Richie McCaw, George Gregan and Jerry Collins have also been named in a Babaas squad that will take the unusual step of wearing the socks of the current Cornwall side in recognition of the county’s outstanding contribution to rugby during the 1908 Olympics.
"Assembling such a star-studded squad from several countries would not have been possible without the approval and co-operation of national unions and individual provinces and clubs and we are grateful for the support we continue to receive,” said Barbarian committeeman and former Lion Mike Burton.
"Many people in many different capacities recognise the role of the Barbarians in such high-profile fixtures and their encouragement is a huge fillip to all of us who are involved. It promises to be a great occasion in every respect."
Barbarians squad
Backs – Percy Montgomery (SA), Bryan Habana (SA), Joe Rococoko (NZ), Shane Williams (Wales), Rico Gear (NZ), Jean de Villiers (SA), Ollie Smith (England), Francois Trinh-Duc (France), George Gregan (Australia), Fourie du Preez (SA)
Forwards – John Smit (SA), Mark Regan (England), Gurthro Steenkamp (SA), Carl Hayman (NZ), Patrice Collazo (France), Bakkies Botha (SA), Steve Borthwick (England), Chris Jack (NZ), Nick Koster (Western Province), Schalk Burger (SA), Jerry Collins (NZ), Richie McCaw (NZ)
