ULSTER BACK ROW Roger Wilson will be part of the ‘World XV’ that faces South Africa in an exhibition match in Cape Town on June the 7th.
The 32-year-old has won just one cap for Ireland, playing against Japan in 2005. Stiff competition in the back row ever since has prevented Wilson from adding to that once-off appearance.
Munster’s BJ Botha was among the handful of players named in the Nick Mallet-coached ‘World XV’ when South Africa first announced the fixture, while Englishman Steffon Armitage was also in that initial group.
The latest additions to Mallet’s squad include thrilling Kiwi wing Rene Ranger, Castres-bound wide man Sitiveni Sivivatu, Georgian powerhouse Mamuka Gorgodze, Samoan lock Joe Tekori and fiery Castres scrum-half Rory Kockott.
“I’m very happy that the final pieces of the jigsaw are now falling into place,” Mallett told the SARU. “Despite the very short preparation time, I’m really looking forward to getting together with this group of very talented players and preparing them for this match.
“It promises to be a very exciting match, looking at the talent assembled in this strong squad. I’m sure they are all relishing the opportunity to play against the Springboks in South Africa.”
World XV Squad:
Backs: James O’Connor [Australia], Drew Mitchell [Australia], Hosea Gear [New Zealand], Sitiveni Sivivatu [New Zealand], Aurelien Rougerie [France], Rene Ranger [New Zealand], Matt Giteau [Australia], François Trinh-Duc [France], Rory Kockott [South Africa], Jimmy Cowan [New Zealand].
Forwards: Steffon Armitage [England], Alexandre Lapandry [France], Roger Wilson [Ireland], Mamuka Gorgodze [Georgia], Alistair Hargreaves [South Africa], Joe Tekori [Samoa], Juandré Kruger [South Africa], Schalk Brits [South Africa], Andrew Hore [New Zealand], Schalk Ferreira [South Africa] Sona Taumololo [Tonga], BJ Botha [South Africa], Carl Hayman [New Zealand].
