By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The All Blacks legend TJ Perenara, Scotland wing Duhan van der Merwe and England prop Kyle Sinckler will feature for the Barbarians when they take on the Springboks in the YesPlay Cup at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Saturday, 20 June.
Van der Merwe, a former Junior Springbok wing who has played for Scotland and the British & Irish Lions, will wear the famous black and white jersey for the first time, and will line up alongside fellow Scotland squad players D’Arcy Rae and Liam McConnell.
All three have been selected in collaboration with Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend to ensure they have game time ahead of July’s Nations Championship and will link up with Scotland post their Barbarians outings.
Perenara, a former All Blacks vice-captain, will bring 89 Tests worth of experience, flair, and attacking instincts to the Barbarians squad.
Wallaby speedster Kellaway, who has 49 caps for Australia to his name, will be joined in the backline by Argentinean flyhalf Tomás Albornoz and Uruguay scrumhalf Santiago Arata. Further squad announcements will be made in due course.
On his invitation to join the BaaBaas, Van der Merwe said: “I can’t wait to join up with the Barbarians this summer. It is a massive honour and opportunity to represent them; it’s something I’ve always wanted to be part of so to get this opportunity is massive.”
“The Barbarians is a rugby institution and have some tough tests coming. To play for them against the World Champions will be a massive challenge and one I’m really looking forward to.”