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Rassie Erasmus has not looked far from his own backyard in confirming his Barbarians squad to face the Pumas on December 1st. The Springbok coach has selected 13 South African players in the match day squad for the Killik Cup match at Twickenham.
Players from eight nations will wear the famous black and white hoops, with the South Africans far outnumbering the rest. Two Pacific Islanders are named, both scrumhalves, in Tonga’s Leon Fukofuka and Fijian ace Frank Lomani. France contribute prop Alexandre Menini and from Italy comes Azzurri winger Tommaso Benvenuti.
In Barbarians tradition there are three uncapped players named. Crusaders loose forward Jordan Taufua and Australian pair Tom English and Jack Debreczeni are included. English has previously represented his country on the HSBC Sevens Series.
Also confirmed is 85-cap Pumas veteran Juan Manuel Leguizamón. The 35-year-old was left out of the Argentina squad that toured Europe and this could be one of his last appearances on the international stage. He has played for the Barbarians once before, leading the team against England in 2014.
FORWARDS
Wyatt Crockett (Tasman / New Zealand), Steven Kitshoff (Stormers / South Africa), Alexandre Menini (Lyon / France), Trevor Nyakane (Bulls / South Africa), Schalk Brits (Stormers / South Africa), Malcolm Marx (Lions / South Africa), Lood de Jager (Bulls & South Africa), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers & South Africa), Luke Jones (Bordeaux Bègles / Australia), Siya Kolisi (Stormers / South Africa), Juan Manuel Leguizamón (Jaguares / Argentina), Sikhumbuzo Notshe (Stormers / South Africa), Jordan Taufua (Crusaders)
BACKS
Leon Fukofuka (Auckland / Tonga), Frank Lomani (Fijian Drua / Fiji), Elton Jantjies (Lions / South Africa), Handré Pollard (Bulls / South Africa), Damian de Allende (Stormers / South Africa), Tom English (Melbourne Rising), Jesse Kriel (Bulls / South Africa), Tommaso Benvenuti (Benetton Treviso / Italy), Aphiwe Dyantyi (Lions / South Africa), Jack Debreczeni (Northland)
