Irish great Peter O’Mahony leads Barbarians in swansong

Irish centurion Peter O’Mahony will captain the Barbarians in his final professional appearance when the legendary invitational side take on the Springboks this Saturday at DHL Stadium — a historic first-ever meeting between the two teams on South African soil.

O’Mahony, a pillar of Ireland’s golden era and a respected leader in world rugby, bows out in iconic black-and-white alongside a Barbarians squad brimming with Test class and attacking ambition. He’s part of a back row that includes fellow heavyweights Sam Cane (former All Blacks captain) and Shannon Frizell — a trio built to take on the world champions in the trenches.

Also playing his final game is Irish great Cian Healy, who packs down at loosehead alongside France’s Camille Chat and Samoa’s Paul Alo-Emile. In the engine room, Ruben van Heerden — the DHL Stormers lock — faces his countrymen, partnering England’s David Ribbans, who was born and raised in South Africa.

In the backs, it’s Kiwi flair across the park: Tawera Kerr-Barlow links up with Chiefs flyhalf Josh Jacomb, while Peter Umaga-Jensen and Leicester Fainga’anuku form a devastating midfield. Mark Tele’a and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkins bring fire from the wings, and French fullback Melvyn Jaminet controls the backfield.

The bench is no less stacked: Hoskins Sotutu, Lachlan Boshier, Joe Marchant, and Santiago Arata round off a squad designed to play fast, loose, and fearless rugby — Barbarians style.

SCHALK BURGER ON HIS BARBARIANS EXPERIENCE

“This group is full of experience and expression,” said Barbarians coach Robbie Deans. “They’ve bonded quickly, and now it’s about letting the rugby speak. Playing the Springboks in South Africa is a first for us — and we’re excited to put on a show for a packed DHL Stadium.”

Kick-off is at 17:10 on Saturday, 28 June. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster.co.za.

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Barbarians XV to face the Springboks

15.Melvyn Jaminet, 14. Mark Tele’a, 13. Leicester Fainga’anuku, 12. Peter Umaga-Jensen, 11. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkins, 10. Josh Jacomb, 9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8. Shannon Frizell, 7. Sam Cane, 6. Peter O’Mahony (captain), 5. David Ribbans, 4. Ruben van Heerden, 3. Paul Alo-Emile, 2. Camille Chat, 1. Cian Healy

Replacements: 16. Ricky Riccitelli, 17. Hassane Kolingar, 18. Will Collier, 19. Josh Beehre, 20. Hoskins Sotutu, 21. Santiago Arata, 22. Joe Marchant, 23. Lachlan Boshier.