Deans, Laporte to coach World XV

Deans was in charge of a Barbarians team that last night beat an Ireland XV, 22-21, in Limerick, Ireland.

***Tickets, priced from R100 to R550, will go on sale mid-June from the DHL Newlands ticket office, Computicket outlets nationwide or online at wprugby.computicket.com.***

The DHL Newlands clash will be the Springboks’ season-opener and it promises to deliver festival rugby. Last year in the corresponding fixture, more than 30,000 spectators flocked to DHL Newlands to see the South Africans beat a strong World XV by 47-13, with Heyneke Meyer’s side scoring six tries in the process.

“Between them, Robbie and Bernard are two of the most experienced coaches in world rugby since the game turned professional two decades ago,” said Jurie Roux, CEO of the South African Rugby Union (SARU).

“Under Robbie, the Crusaders won five Vodacom Super Rugby titles, he was also assistant All Blacks coach and took charge of the Wallabies for six years, including a victory in the Castle Lager Rugby Championships in 2011.

“Bernard’s been one of the biggest names in French rugby. He coached their national side from 1999 to 2007, won the Six Nations four times, and has been with Toulon recently as they dominated the European rugby scene, with three consecutive victories in the Heineken and Champions Cups.

“The experience they bring to the World XV will make this a very formidable outfit and will provide the Springboks with a proper test as they get this very important season underway.”

The 55-year-old Deans is currently involved with the Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan, but also coached the Barbarians this week for their matches against Ireland, which took place on Thursday, and England, scheduled for Sunday.

Laporte, 50, is a former French Secretary of State for Sport. Apart from France and Toulon, he also coached former French club champions Stade Français and Bordeaux-Begles.

The names of players selected for the World XV will be released in due course.