Stormers flyhalf Robert du Preez and Lions hooker Akker van der Merwe will get a chance to catch the eye of Springbok coach Allister Coetzee when they start for the Barbarians at Wembley on Saturday.
Du Preez, Van der Merwe and lock Martin Muller are the three South Africans who were included by Barbarians coach Robbie Deans in a team packed with New Zealand Super Rugby stars.
Champion team the Hurricanes have three players in flank Brad Shields, lock Michael Fatialofa and loosehead prop Reggie Goodes in the run-on XV, while 2015 winners the Highlanders supplied wing Matt Faddes, centre Richard Buckman and No 8 Luke Whitelock.
Players with Test experience include All Black centre Seta Tamanivalu, who has moved from the Chiefs to the Crusaders, giant Waratahs wing Taqele Nayaravoro, veteran scrumhalf and captain Andy Ellis, Whitelock and tighthead prop Paddy Ryan from the Waratahs.
But with the uncertainty surrounding the Bok flyhalf position, with Patrick Lambie having only recently returned from injury and Elton Jantjies having struggled to stamp his authority, Du Preez will be keen to show Coetzee that he can handle the big stage of international rugby.
The 23-year-old had an inconsistent Super Rugby campaign, but cut down on his mistakes and made considerable progress in his play for Western Province during the Currie Cup. Du Preez has a good passing game and a solid goal-kicking boot, which was largely responsible for taking WP to the semi-finals.
Along with Cheetahs No 10 Niel Marais, Du Preez was a bit unfortunate to miss out on Bok selection for the Barbarians clash as Bulls pivot Tian Schoeman was preferred as the back-up to captain Lambie.
Having the cool head of Ellis to help him dictate the game, and the traditional attacking style of the Baabaas will suit Du Preez’s positive approach, and he would also want to put one over some of his Stormers mates in the Bok side.
Barnstorming Lions hooker Van der Merwe has been sensational in coming off the bench in Super Rugby this year, and played a key role in his team’s charge to the final.
Van der Merwe is a dynamic ball-carrier in the loose, and is also capable of putting in big hits on defence. Like Lions first-choice No 2 Malcolm Marx, his lineout-throwing needs a lot of work, but the former Pukke Varsity Cup star will be eager to get the better of his provincial teammate.
Apart from Muller at No 4 lock, two other South Africans are on the bench in former Lions loosehead Schalk van der Merwe, who currently plays for Montpellier but will join the Southern Kings for the 2017 Super Rugby season, and the son of Lions coach Johan Ackermann, Ruan, who can play at lock and in the loose trio.
The Barbarians lead the Boks 4-3 following wins in 2007 and 2010, and Ellis hopes his team can win again on Saturday at Wembley Stadium in London (4.30pm SA time kickoff).
“It was a pretty special moment beating South Africa last time,” he said. “It’s a beautiful thing. You make friendships. I’m still in touch with the guys I played with in 2010,” the All Black scrumhalf told the Barbarians website.
“This new team has come together, we’re getting on well and we’re having fun, and now it’s just about fronting up and making sure we perform at the weekend. We understand how proud the Barbarians are and we’ve got a real job to do here.
“The guys want to play for themselves, for the club, for their families – all sorts of different motivations but we’re in a pretty good place. Boks taking on the Boks helps. They’ll certainly want to prove themselves.”
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Barbarians Team
15 Melani Nanai (Blues), 14 Matt Faddes (Highlanders), 13 Seta Tamanivalu (Crusaders and New Zealand), 12 Richard Buckman (Highlanders), 11 Taqele Nayaravoro (Waratahs and Australia), 10 Robert du Preez (Stormers), 9 Andy Ellis (captain, Crusaders and New Zealand), 8 Luke Whitelock (Highlanders and New Zealand), 7 Jordan Taufua (Crusaders), 6 Brad Shields (Hurricanes), 5 Michael Fatialofa (Hurricanes), 4 Martin Muller (Lions), 3 Paddy Ryan (Waratahs and Australia), 2 Akker van der Merwe (Lions), 1 Reggie Goodes (Hurricanes).
Bench: 16 Andrew Ready (Reds), 17 Schalk van der Merwe (Montpellier), 18 Toby Smith (Rebels and Australia), 19 Sam Carter (Brumbies and Australia), 20 Ruan Ackermann, 21 Nic Stirzaker (Rebels), 22 Richard Mo’unga (Crusaders), 23 Luke Morahan (Force and Australia).