1 Dec 2010

Giteau to captain Baabaas

6:49 am on 1 December 2010

The Welsh flanker Martyn Williams is the only British Isles rugby player who will start for the Barbarians against South Africa at Twickenham this weekend.

The Baabaas side is dominated by Australian and New Zealand players with Wallaby Matt Giteau to lead the invitation side from first five.

There are two uncapped players in New Zealand number eight Colin Bourke and South African lock Anton van Zyl.

Other New Zealanders starting are Neemia Tialata, Chris Jack, Rodney So'oialo, Joe Rocokoco and Ma'a Nonu, while Keven Mealamu, Daniel Braid, Andy Ellis and Stephen Donald are in the reserves.

Italian prop Salvatore Perugini is the only European other than Williams in the starting line-up while countryman Quintin Geldenhuys is on the bench, as is Fiji's Seru Rabeni.

Giteau has tasted victory as a Barbarian against South Africa and New Zealand in the past.

He will be partnered at half-back by fellow Australian scrum-half Will Genia.