11 Jul 2015

Six NZers in World XV

7:42 pm on 11 July 2015

Six New Zealanders have been selected in the World XV squad of 23 to play South Africa in a Cape Town.

Luke Whitelock, Jordan Taufua, Ali Williams, Carl Hayman have been named to start by New Zealand coach Robbie deans while Andrew Horrell and Rudi Wulf are in the reserves.

Robbie Deans while coaching the Wallabies.

Robbie Deans while coaching the Wallabies. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Springbok lock legend Bakkies Botha will skipper the world team against his home country and Deans said Botha was a natural choice to lead the world selection in the non-cap game.

"He has been a huge presence in South African rugby for a long time so it will be a real occasion when he leads the World team out against his country."

English brothers Delon (fullback) and Steffon Armitage (flanker) are also in a starting line-up that includes eight players from European club champions Toulon.

Kick-off is at 3am on Sunday (NZT).

World XV (15-1):

Delon Armitage (ENG); Lachlan Turner (AUS), JJ Engelbrecht (RSA), Maxime Mermoz (FRA), David Smith (SAM); Mike Harris (AUS), Luke Burgess (AUS); Luke Whitelock (NZL), Steffon Armitage (ENG), Jordan Taufua (NZL); Bakkies Botha (RSA, capt), Ali Williams (NZL), Carl Hayman (NZL), Craig Burden (RSA), Gurthro Steenkamp (RSA)

Reserves: David Roumieu (FRA), Alexandre Menini (FRA), Petrus du Plessis (RSA), Flip van der Merwe (RSA), Louis-Benoit Madaule (FRA), Maxime Machenaud (FRA), Andrew Horrell (NZL), Rudi Wulf (NZL

Coach: Robbie Deans (NZL)