Bakkies Botha© (Photo by Luke Walker/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Bakkies Botha will line up against his former South Africa team-mates when the Springboks take on a World XV at Newlands next month.

The giant second-row announced his retirement from the international game late last year but is one of nine Toulon players to have been confirmed for the Cape Town showdown on July 11.

Botha will be joined by the Armitage brothers, Delon and Steffon, Ali Williams, David Smith, Rudi Wulf, Maxime Mermoz, Craig Burden and Alexandre Menini. Toulon boss Bernard Laporte is also on board and will act as an assistant to coach Robbie Deans, who took charge of the Barbarians for their recent games against England and Ireland. 

In addition to those chosen from the European champions, four other players have been confirmed with Louis-Benoit Madaule named captain and JJ Engelbrecht, Luke Burgess and Maxime Machenaud also set to face the Springboks.

"With the core of the World XV side coming from Toulon, and having already played together twice as the Barbarians against Ireland and England under Robbie Deans, they will arrive in South Africa a well-oiled machine and won't need a lot of time to find their feet," said Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer.

"Like last year, this match will be a superb way to start our season and looking at the names they've assembled, especially with all the experienced Test players from Toulon in their pack it certainly will provide us with a proper test in Cape Town.

"There is also still a chance that we could have a team in the Vodacom Super Rugby final, which is only a week before this match and it would have a major impact on our preparations.

"It is obviously not ideal for us with Bakkies, JJ and Craig there, as they will have good knowledge of how we play and we'll have to make some adjustments, but that is what international rugby is all about and I certainly can't wait for the Boks' season to start."

Further names will be added to the World XV in due course.