Bokbarians ready to unleash flair and physicality against All Blacks XV

Several Springboks will have the opportunity to put in a strong performance for the Barbarians on Saturday afternoon when they take on an All Blacks XV in Brentford, England.

With the ratification of the suspension of utility front rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels, there is a gap in the Bok squad for the rest of the November Tests after Saturday’s opener against Japan at Wembley Stadium.

For veteran Bongi Mbonambi, who is one of a handful of players on standby for the world champions, Saturday’s start in the Baabaas jersey could be the perfect opportunity to show head coach Rassie Erasmus that he can still make a valuable contribution in the north.

So too for Stormers hooker André-Hugo Venter, who is Mbonambi’s deputy for the invitational match against the New Zealanders.

Venter has benefited from some good game time for the Cape side in Europe during the United Rugby Championship (URC) and will be eager to get some more minutes under his belt.

There has been no indication yet from the Bok camp if they will replace Wessels in the squad, with Malcolm Marx and Johan Grobbelaar the only recognised hookers currently. Loose forward Marco van Staden can cover in the case of an emergency, although it will be wiser to have a third recognised No 2 for the rest of the tour.

Mbonambi has struggled with consistent form recently after missing a couple of international matches due to family responsibilities. And with the Sharks not hitting their straps in the URC, it has hampered the 34-year-old from getting back to his best. However, he would want to show that he still has a role to play with the world champions.

If the Boks are looking at building their player capacity for the 2027 Rugby World Cup and beyond, Venter will benefit from the Baabaas clash if he can put in a physical and accurate performance on the attack and defence, and at set-piece time.

Two young Boks, eighthman Evan Roos and utility forward Cobus Wiese, can also impress the national selectors with their performance for the invitational side. Should Erasmus decide to keep Van Staden as the third hooker, the door could swing open for another loose forward to join, and Roos has been knocking on the Springbok door with his recent performances.

Thirteen other South Africans, including Springbok prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye, will turn out for the Barbarians on Saturday. The team will be captained by former Bulls junior Hanro Liebenberg.

Barbarians XV

15 Max Mallins, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Matias Moroni, 12 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Rob du Preez, 9 Rhodri Williams, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Fitz Harding, 6 Hanro Liebenberg (captain), 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Ernest van Ryhn, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Oli Kebble.

Replacements: 16 André-Hugo Venter, 17 Alistair Vermaak, 18 Jack Aungier, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Batho Hlekani, 21 Brad Webber, 22 Dan du Plessis, 23 Rhyno Smith.