South Africa
Mallett to coach World XV against Springboks
ESPN Staff
April 8, 2014
Ex-Italy and South Africa coach Nick Mallett will face Heyneke Meyer's Springboks © Getty Images
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Former Springboks coach Nick Mallett will lead a World XV against South Africa on June 7 in Cape Town.

The invitational match will kick-off South Africa's 2014 programme and will give the team a run-out ahead of their two-Test series against Wales. The World XV takes on a Barbarians feel with the early names included in their team a selection of some well known players.

The South African Rugby Union has said the World XV will include James O'Connor, Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell, former All Black Hosea Gear and Francois Trinh-Duc. Forwards already chosen include two props, South African BJ Botha and New Zealander Carl Hayman, English flanker Steffon Armitage and French No. 8 Julien Bonnaire.

Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer will have a first-choice team to pick from and he is looking forward to tackling Mallett's side. "It's always a challenge for the Springbok coach to prepare a team for the first test of the year as the squad only assembles in the week of the Test," Meyer said. "There are certain goals I have set for the team this year and the match against the World XV, is the ideal opportunity to start putting those plans in place.

"We enjoyed a relatively successful 2013 but we'll be looking to step up a gear from the first minute of the first match of the year."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

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