Barbarians coach Robbie Deans names All Black and Irish stars for Springbok clash in June

The Barbarians team to play the Springboks next month will hardly be pushovers, considering they will have three Test centurions in their ranks with a combined tally of 352 caps.

Sam Cane, the All Blacks’ 2023 World Cup captain, will be joined by Ireland’s Peter O’Mahony and Conor Murray when the BaaBaas and the Boks lock horns in South Africa for the first time.

O’Mahony, who has been a tough foe of the Boks, played the first of his 114 Tests for Ireland in 2012, captained the side as a 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.

Murray, like O’Mahony a stalwart of Irish giants Munster, made his Test debut in 2011, played 125 Tests for Ireland and eight for the British & Irish Lions.

The experienced scrumhalf featured in all three Tests against the Boks in Cape Town in 2021, and toured Australia (2013) and New Zealand (2017).

Cane, a member of New Zealand’s 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.

“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 (at Munster), 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.”

Robbie Deans, the Barbarians head coach, commented: “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.

“It will be a blend of high profile global  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 a 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 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.”