LONDON – Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus wants to bring entertainment and enjoyment to Twickenham in London when he takes charge of the Barbarians against Argentina in Saturday's match.
The bulk of the squad come from South Africa but Erasmus insists he is taking a multicultural approach - and that pleasing the fans is a top priority.
"The Barbarians is a different style and we asked all the boys what we should do,” said Erasmus. "It’s definitely a specific brand but it’s not linked to a specific country. We’d like to entertain, to enjoy it, to have fun and be really competitive against Argentina so it’s Test match rugby.
"It will be a mix of all these players, Juan Leguizamon, Wyatt Crockett, all the rest, and put together in one week."
Leguizamon, New Zealand prop Crockett and Italy wing Tommaso Benvenuti have 211 international caps between them.
And rising stars like Fiji’s Frank Lomani, Tonga’s Leon Fukofuka and Australia’s Luke Jones will all be aiming to force their way into the starting line-up - and increase the global feel.
Hear from @Springboks' 🇿🇦Rassie Erasmus on our #KillikCup🏆 squad to face @LosPumas🇦🇷
And why he picked a Kiwi legend as Skipper 💪🇳🇿 #Baabaas #rugby #rugbyunited🏉 pic.twitter.com/1Q28DgCfZB
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) November 29, 2018
"When we compiled the team we wouldn’t want to have 17 Springboks in it,” said Erasmus, twice called up to play for the club and injured on each occasion.
“The whole thing about the Barbarians is to bring all these cultures together and that’s why it’s so well supported. It’s great to have a guy like Leguizamon, with all his experience, on the field. He’s definitely going to start the game for us.
"He’s 35 and we can say thank you to this guy because of how he’s served his country, how he’s served rugby and how he carries himself. It’s wonderful to have him in the team."