Matfield leads the 125 year-old invitation side at Kingsholm tomorrow night (7.45pm) before the Killik Cup match against the Pumas at Twickenham on Saturday (3.05pm).

Against Gloucester, South Africa’s most-capped player captains a starting line-up containing 12 Test players with six World Cup winners in a 24-man squad.

World Rugby Breakthrough Player Nehe Milner-Skudder starts at full back in a stellar back line including Australia’s Joe Tomane, giant Fiji wing Nemani Nadolo and South Africa fly half Pat Lambie.

Matfield pairs up with Lood de Jager in the second row with another Springboks legend on the bench in the shape of Bakkies Botha.

Two changes to this week's Barbarians squad see Brumbies back row forward Jarrad Butler replace Warren Whiteley and prop Thomas Du Toit take over from Tendai Mtawarira.