The Barbarians team to face the Springboks in Cape Town on Saturday has started to take shape with head coach Robbie Deans calling on a string of All Blacks.
Former All Blacks skipper Sam Cane was unveiled along with Irish and Munster legends Peter O’Mahony and Conor Murray last month.
That was swiftly followed by the inclusion of Leinster and Ireland great Cian Healy, who like O’Mahony, will be playing his final professional game, and former Highlanders and All Blacks blindside flanker Shannon Frizell.
BaaBaas squad update
The BaaBaas have now announced further additions to the squad. Deans and his assistant, Sam Whitelock, have turned to several of their fellow countrymen, with Japan-bound All Blacks winger Mark Tele’a joining the squad along with his Blues’ clubmate Hoskins Sotutu, who were both snubbed in Scott Robertson’s first squad of the year.
They are joined by 2015 Rugby World Cup-winning scrum-half Tawera Kerr-Barlow, who has wrapped up his stint with La Rochelle ahead of his move to Stade Français and provides the BaaBaas with plenty of experience in the number nine role with Murray.
Peter Umaga-Jensen, who has confirmed his departure from the Hurricanes following the end of the 2025 Super Rugby season, has also joined the squad as has Highlanders’ winger Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens and Blues’ hooker Ricky Riccitelli.
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After being overlooked by the Springboks coaching team, Stormers’ lock Ruben van Heerden has also been spotted training with the BaaBaas as has former France hooker Camille Chat.
Former Harlequins tighthead Will Collier and Racing 92 prop Hassane Kolingar have also been spotted in training with the squad, as has the brilliant Uruguayan scrum-half Santiago Arata.
The Blues lock Josh Beehre has joined the BaaBaas squad while ex-England prop Dan Cole revealed that he has been invited to represent the men in Black and White, but has turned it down.
Murray is a notable absentee from the latest update with no reasoning for his absence disclosed at the time of writing.
Samoan prop Paul Alo-Emile has also accepted an invited from the BaaBaas and is joined by England internationals Dave Ribbans and Joe Marchant, who ply their trade in the Top 14.
Lachlan Boshier, who plays for Deans’ Japanese club the Wild Knights, has also been included in the squad as has Chiefs’ playmaker Josh Jacomb.
All Blacks back Leicester Faingaʻanuku, who is set to return to the Crusaders next season, is also included along with his Toulon teammate and France international Melvyn Jaminet.
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Known Barbarians squad members
Forwards: Sam Cane, Peter O’Mahony, Cian Healy, Shannon Frizell, Hoskins Sotutu, Ricky Riccitelli, Ruben van Heerden, Camille Chat, Will Collier, Hassane Kolingar, Josh Beehre, Paul Alo-Emile, David Ribbans, Lachlan Boshier.
Backs: Mark Tele’a, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Santiago Arata, Josh Jacomb, Leicester Faingaʻanuku, Joe Marchant.
Venue: DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Date: Saturday, 28 June
Kick-off: 17:10 (local), 16:10 (UK)
Broadcaster: SuperSport
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