The Sensational Barbarians Team That Beat The 2007 World Cup Winning Springboks

The Sensational Barbarians Team That Beat The 2007 World Cup Winning Springboks

Off the back of their successful 2007 Rugby World Cup campaign in France, South Africa faced off against a fantastic Barbarians side that was coached by Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan.

The likes of England legend Jason Robinson took to the turf in his final match with the Baabaas stacked with test superstars for the game. The little maestro danced his way to his final exit at Twickenham, the cheer for him as he left, seven minutes past the hour, the loudest and most prolonged of the day.

Operating at flyhalf, Matt Giteau opened the scoring with a typical Barbarian counter-attack try as the visitors failed to make the most of their early pressure at Twickenham.

Barend Pieterse's try gave South Africa hope but tries either side of the break by Martyn Williams and Rocky Elsom ended hopes of a Springbok revival.


The incredible Barbarians side included an attacking back three of Robinson, Joe Rokocoko and Isoa Neivua with Ben Cohen on the bench with Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith lining up in the midfield. Giteau struck an excellent halfback partnership with Justin Marshall.

Argentine Federico Pucciarello packed down alongside Mark Regan and Salesi Ma'afu with Brent Cockbain and Justin Harrison in the engine room. A sensational back row included Rocky Elsom, Martyn Williams and Jerry Collins.


Barbarians (15-9 and 1-8): Robinson, Rokocoko, Smith, Nonu, Neivua, Giteau, Marshall, Pucciarello, Regan, Ma'afu, Cockbain, Harrison, Elsom, Williams, Collins. Replacements: Brits, Moller, Flavell, Owen, Shanklin, Grant, Cohen.

South Africa (15-9 and 1-8): Pienaar, Ndungane, Fourie, Steyn, Habana, Pretorius, Januarie, van der Linde, B. du Plessis, J. du Plessis, Muller, Ackermann, Pieterse, Smith, Kankowski. Replacements: Liebenberg, van der Merwe, van den Berg, Lobberts, Olivier, Julies, Jantjes.

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