Best to captain Barbarians in final appearance

Rory Best will captain the Barbarians against Fiji on his final appearance before he retires from rugby.

Former Ireland skipper Best is calling time on a 15-year senior career after Saturday’s match at Twickenham.

It has now been confirmed the 37-year-old will lead Eddie Jones’ side, with the England coach having also included three of South Africa’s Rugby World Cup winners.

Makazole Mapimpi and loosehead prop Tendai Mtawarira – also making the final appearance of his career – start, with Lukhanyo Am named on the bench.

In total, there are 10 South African players within the 23-man invitational squad.

Best’s final international appearance for Ireland came in their 46-14 defeat to New Zealand in the World Cup quarter-finals.

KILLIK CUP TEAM NEWS

v @Fijirugby #Baabaas #rugby #rugbyunited  pic.twitter.com/sP0pLLvYZm

— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) November 13, 2019

Barbarians: 15. David Havili, 14. Dillyn Leyds, 13. Mathieu Bastareaud, 12. Andre Esterhuizen, 11. Makazole Mapimpi, 10. Curwin Bosch, 9. Joe Powell; 1. Tendai Mtawarira, 2. Rory Best, 3. Enrique Pieretto, 4. Luke Jones, 5. Tyler Ardron, 6. Pete Samu, 7. Marco van Staden, 8. Josh Strauss.

Replacements: 16. Andrew Makalio, 17. Campese Ma’afu, 18. Hencus van Wyk, 19. Angus Cottrell, 20. Matt Philip, 21. Jano Vermaak, 22. Lukhanyo Am, 23. Morne Steyn.

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