Despite being sidelined by injury, Namibian rugby player Jacques Burger was included in his English club Saracens’ team that will clash with South African franchise The Sharks later this month. Saracens have named a powerful 23-man squad for the historic north-south clash against the Sharks at Allianz Park in London on Saturday, January 25. The Saracens squad features 10 South African-born players, as well as the Namibian flanker. Centre Brad Barritt and scrumhalf Neil de Kock are among the backs, while Schalk Brits (hooker), Matt Stevens, Petrus du Plessis (props), Alistair Hargreaves, Mouritz Botha (locks), Burger, Nick Fenton-Wells, Justin Melck and Ernst Joubert (loose forwards) feature up front. Saracens’ Director of Rugby, Mark McCall, told Saracens’ official website that they take the game seriously and will be looking to topple Jake White’s men. “The Sharks are one of the strongest teams in the Super XV, and we’re really looking forward to the challenge. Our match against the Springboks four years ago was one of the greatest occasions in the club’s history, and this will be a similar kind of one-off event… the Premiership leaders against South Africa’s Currie Cup champions. We will field our strongest possible side,” said McCall. Saracens squad to face the Sharks: Backs: Chris Wyles, David Strettle, Michael Tagicakibau, Marcelo Bosch, Brad Barritt, Duncan Taylor, Sam Stanley, Charlie Hodgson, Neil de Kock, Richard Wigglesworth. Forwards: Richard Barrington, Nick Auterac, Schalk Brits, Jamie George, Matt Stevens, Petrus du Plessis, Steve Borthwick (captain), Alistair Hargreaves, Mouritz Botha, Jacques Burger, Nick Fenton-Wells, Justin Melck, Ernst Joubert.
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