The Springboks will encounter familiar faces when they meet the Barbarians at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday, with DHL Stormers duo Warrick Gelant and Oliver Kebble named in the invitational side's ranks.
Gelant, who earned 10 Test caps and was part of South Africa's 2019 Rugby World Cup-winning squad, will make his Barbarians debut alongside Kebble, the 33-year-old Scotland international and son of four-times capped Springbok Guy Kebble. The prop joined his teammates for training at UCT's Green Mile this week, confirming it would be his third appearance for the famous club. "It is a unique and special occasion, because not everyone gets the invite," Kebble said. "You have to make the most of it if you do get invited."
The Barbarians squad features international talent from across the globe, including All Black TJ Perenara, South African-born Scotland wing Duhan van der Merwe, Wallaby Andrew Kellaway, and England prop Kyle Sinckler. Former All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson and Argentine Felipe Contepomi will lead the side. Gelant described the opportunity as a dream realised. "It's every player's dream to play in a Barbarians team, playing with guys you play against or see on TV," he told the Barbarians' official website. The full-back will be reunited with Van der Merwe, a former schoolmate at Outeniqua High School in George, more than a decade after their paths diverged in the professional game.
Kebble suggested the pressure rests squarely with the Springboks in the one-off fixture. "We're just having fun," he said, noting the invitational side can approach the match without the burden of selection consequences.