International stars from across the world game including Duhan van der Merwe, TJ Perenara and Kyle Sinckler will feature for Barbarians F.C this June as part the club’s summer tour fixtures.
Barbarian F.C will take centre stage over the coming week at the famous invitational club take to the field with matches against South Africa (20th June) and Wales (27th June).
First up for the Barbarians will be World Champions South Africa in Port Elizabeth before heading to the UK to take on Wales at Allianz Stadium as part of a double head with Barbarians FC Women taking on Wales Women.
Scotland and British & Irish Lion wing van der Merwe will wear the famous black and white jersey for the first time and will line up against his country of birth South Africa and features alongside fellow Scotland squad players D’Arcy Rae and Liam McConnell in the Barbarians summer tour squad. All three have been selected in collaboration with Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend to ensure they have game time ahead of July’s Nations Championship and will link up with Scotland post their Barbarians outings. Van der Merwe and Rae featuring for the South Africa game only.
Former All Blacks vice-captain and one of New Zealand rugby’s most respected leaders, Perenara, whose experience, flair and attacking instincts epitomise the Barbarians spirit will once again link up with the club.
England prop Kyle Sinckler brings his trademark energy, dynamism and vast international experience to the squad, adding further quality to the forward pack and Sinckler will be feature in the second tour game v Wales.
Argentine international fly-half Tomás Albornoz, whose creativity and attacking vision have made him one of the standout playmakers in world rugby is named along with Australian international Andrew Kellaway who brings versatility, counter-attacking threat and proven Test-match pedigree.
Uruguay scrum-half Santiago Arata adds his trademark tempo and attacking spark.
Further squad announcements will be made in due course
On his invitation to join Barbarian F.C van der Merwe said:
“I can’t wait to join up with the Barbarians this summer. It is a massive honour and opportunity to represent them, it’s something I’ve always wanted to be part of so to get this opportunity is massive.
“The Barbarians is a rugby institution and have some tough tests coming. To play for them against the World Champions will be a massive challenge and one I’m really looking forward too.
“It was frustrating the way our season ended with Edinburgh so to have the chance to get minutes in the legs ahead of the Scotland games in the Nations Championship will be really beneficial.”
Tickets are available for the Springboks v Barbarians clash – Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) 20 June exclusively at springboks.tmtickets.co.za. Tickets for Barbarians v Wales Double Header – Allianz Stadium – Twickenham 27 June are available via Ticketmaster.co.uk and England Rugby, starting from just £20* for adults and £10* for under-16s. Hospitality packages are also available from £179+VAT PP, visit www.allianzstadiumtwickenham.com *Booking fees apply.
