Captain Adriaan Strauss is one of five South Africans named in the World XV’s starting lineup for their match against Japan in Osaka on Friday.
Strauss, who retired from rugby at the end of this year’s Super Rugby tournament, is joined by Lions centre Harold Vorster, Toyota Verblitz flyhalf Lionel Cronjé, Bulls lock Jason Jenkins and Sunwolves tighthead prop Hencus van Wyk.
There are another two South Africans on the 10-man bench – Sunwolves flank Willie Britz and Lions loosehead prop Corné Fourie.
The World XV, who beat Japan 47-27 in Fukuoka last year, will once again be coached by Robbie Deans.
The match will kick off at 11:50am (SA time) and be broadcast on SuperSport 1.
World XV – 15 Nehe Milner Skudder (Hurricanes), 14 Toni Pulu (Chiefs), 13 Harold Vorster (Lions/Panasonic), 12 Ma’a Nonu (Blues, New Zealand), 11 Tevita Li (Highlanders), 10 Lionel Cronjé (Toyota), 9 Andrew Ellis (Kobe, c), 8 Leonardo Senatore (Jaguares), 7 Dillon Hunt (Highlanders), 6 Jackson Hemopo (Highlanders), 5 Jason Jenkins (Bulls/Toyota), 4 Sam Carter (Brumbies), 3 Hencus van Wyk (Sunwolves/Sanix), 2 Adrian Strauss (Bulls), 1 Craig Millar (Sunwolves/Panasonic).
Subs: Ricky Riccitelli (Hurricanes), Wyatt Crockett (Crusaders), Ben Alexander (Brumbies), Ben Gunter (Panasonic), Willie Britz (Sunwolves/NTT), Augustine Pulu (Hino/Blues), Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias (Jaguares), Keisuke Moriya (Panasonic), Nili Latu (Hino), Corné Fourie (Lions/Panasonic).
