Vusi Voetsek: Barbarians is fine, but the other team is not a World XV

Four South Africans and a naturalised Scot will be part of a rugby extravaganza at Twickenham on Sunday when the Barbarians take on a World XV.

Now, I’ve got no problem with the Barbarians — it’s a club steeped in history and tradition — but really, a World XV?

Come on! Why call it a World XV?

It’s a mixture of players many rugby fans wouldn’t have heard of and in some cases wouldn’t make their country’s first choice XV.

Best v best

The organisers of these events should rather put together a Premiership XV or call it a Select XV … it’s not a World XV. That implies it’s the 15 best players in the world running out as a combination, with a further first-choice eight replacements on the bench.

But this match, to be played at Twickenham on Sunday, with the World XV coached by Steve Hansen and the Barbarians by Eddie Jones, got me thinking: Isn’t it time that a proper hemisphere versus hemisphere or Europe versus the Rest of the World match took place?

I know the rugby roster is jam-packed, but imagine a once a year clash of the very best against the very best. That would be something, with all the gate takings going to charity.

For what it’s worth, Sbu Nkosi, who has had all sorts of personal issues this year, will run out for the World XV. Packing down at No 3 will be former Stormers man and current Scottish international Ollie Kebble.

Also in the team is Israel Folau … the former Wallabies man, who’s not too popular with a lot of people because of some of his beliefs around sexuality and religion.

The three South Africans in Jones’ Barbarians team are Stephan Lewies, Carlu Sadie and Francois Hougaard.

Blitzboks

It’s become a bit tiring to include the Blitzboks in this column, but this will hopefully be the last time for the next few months, considering the World Rugby Sevens Series is now done … and there are no more events where the SA Sevens team can embarrass themselves.

It is now truly back to the proverbial drawing board for coach Sandile Ngcobo and the big bosses at SA Rugby, after the Blitzboks’ horror showing over the course of the series.

Their only triumph came in Dubai in round two, with their other tournament results going from okay to poor to outright shocking.

A seventh-place finish on the points table means the Blitzboks have a heap of work to do before next season. Also, they will now have to qualify via an alternative route for the Olympics in Paris next year.

French Open

For the first time since 2004 the year’s second tennis major, the French Open at Roland Garros, which gets underway on Sunday, will be without multiple champion Rafael Nadal, who is injured.

The clay court maestro’s absence opens the door for someone else to win the tournament, but it also leaves a big hole in the men’s draw … watching Nadal in action in Paris each year is a treat.

Also out of the tournament this year are Andy Murray, Emma Raducanu, Naomi Osaka, Simona Halep, Matteo Berrettini, Nick Kyrgios and Paula Badosa.

The French Open always delivers shocks, so who’s your money on to win the men’s and women’s titles this year?