Johannesburg - Five of South Africa's major rugby stars will join the Barbarians line-up for two high-profile games in November. Flyhalf Pat Lambie, lock Victor Matfield, prop Tendai Mtawarira and centre Jean de Villiers will be joined by veteran forward Bakkies Botha against Gloucester on November 17 and Argentina on November 21.
The Barbarians, who celebrate their 125th anniversary this year, have named Michael Cheika as coach and have also included some of Australia's star forwards.
Captain Stephen Moore, prop Greg Holmes, and flanks Michael Hooper and Scott Fardy were all prominent in last weekend's 33-13 win over England which secured their World Cup quarter-final place.
And all four - plus former Wallaby team-mate Stephen Hoiles - have accepted invitations to appear for the world famous club side. Fijian superstar Nemani Nadolo is another inclusion.
In total, the South Africa quintet will bring 416 caps of international experience to the group. Botha, Matfield and De Villiers were all World Cup winners in France in 2007.
“These are players of the highest quality and we are delighted to welcome them back into the fold - all five have represented the club with distinction in recent years,” said Barbarians president Micky Steele-Bodger.
Tickets to Gloucester v Barbarians go on sale for the first time on Thursday and tickets to the Barbarians v Argentina game are already available from www.ticketmaster.co.uk It will be the third time the Barbarians have visited Kingsholm after games against Ireland there in 2008 and 2012.
Gloucester Rugby CEO Stephen Vaughan said: “We've worked hard to establish Kingsholm's credentials as a top class venue capable of hosting international rugby, the four forthcoming Rugby World Cup fixtures are evidence of that.
“But this game will be a very special occasion and I'm sure that it will be a career highlight for a number of our players and an occasion that our supporters will relish.”
The Barbarians, who beat Samoa at the former Olympic Stadium last month, were founded 125 years ago and the Killik Cup match against Argentina is the centrepiece of the celebrations.
Cheika has made a dramatic impact with the Wallabies since leading them for the first time in a 40-36 win against the Barbarians at Twickenham last November.
Vice-captain Hooper, who misses Saturday's game against Wales through suspension, is impressed with how quickly his side's forward play has developed and with the positive impact of the coach himself.
“The 10 month (scrummaging) turnaround has been incredible. It's really pleasing they've been getting some pay for the hard work they've been doing and now they've set a benchmark,” said Hooper.
“It's going to be nice to sit back after this is done and evaluate that and enjoy what he (Cheika) has done so far with us. Right now he's just making us live in the moment, live day-to-day and just improve as a group.” - ANA