Springbok prop Cobus Visagie has been named in both squads for next week’s match between South Africa and a World XV.
Visagie, who plays for Saracens in the English Premiership, had been overlooked by South Africa coach Jake White for his team’s European tour, but the coach said he had been added to the squad for the December 3 game against the invitational side in Leicester.
Visagie (33) impressed against South Africa for a World XV in June and White said that he had not ruled out the chance of him featuring in next year’s World Cup, having been overlooked in 2003, the year he won the last of his 29 caps.
However, he was also included in the squad named by World XV coach Bob Dwyer on Wednesday night.
Lawrence Dallaglio, Justin Marshall and Ben Tune had already been confirmed as taking part in the game that will round off the celebrations of 100 years of Springbok touring.
Also included is former Springbok fullback Thinus Delport, who is a great-great nephew of Anton Stegman, a member of the Springboks’ first touring team in 1906. — Reuters
World XV squad:
Backs: Justin Marshall (Plays for) Ospreys, (capped by) New Zealand, 81 caps, Gareth Cooper (Newport Gwent Dragons, Wales, 32), Thomas Castaignede (Saracens, France, 52), Andy Farrell (Saracens, Britain Rugby League), Ben Tune (Queensland Reds, Australia, 46), Ryan Cross (Western Force, Australia Rugby League), Gomez Cora (Lomas Athletic URBA, Argentina, 4), Scott Staniforth (Western Force, Australia, 5), Gaffie du Toit (Cheetahs, South Africa, 14), Thinus Delport (Worcester Warriors, South Africa, 18).
Forwards: Nic Henderson (ACT Brumbies, Australia, 3 caps), Dave Hewett (Edinburgh, Scotland, 22), Cobus Visagie (Saracens, South Africa, 29), Vernet Basualdo (Asociacion Alumni, Argentina, 3), Fabio Ongaro (Saracens, Italy, 44), Simon Shaw (Wasps, England, 28), Alistair Campbell (ACT Brumbies, Australia, 3), Michael Owen (Newport Gwent Dragons, Wales, 34), David Croft (Queensland Reds, Australia, 5), Jonny O’Connor (Wasps, Ireland, 12), Takuro Miuchi (NEC Rockets, Japan, 30), Lawrence Dallaglio (captain – Wasps, England, 77).
Total number of caps: 542
Coach: Bob Dwyer
Assistant coach: Bryan Redpath