Venter wants a clean sheet

Burger, Greeff speak about the 'honour'

South Africa have seven players in the 22-man Barbarians squad that will face the All Blacks at Twickenham in London on Saturday and one of them, flanker AJ Venter, has never been on the losing side for the famous club.

It will be Venter's fourth appearance for the famous club, which brings together players from different countries to play a few matches each year to enjoy the camaraderie of the game and play attacking, adventurous rugby - without the pressure of having to win.

But for Venter, one of the most robust loose forwards in the South African game, it will be all about winning on Saturday, and preserving that clean sheet he has.

"I have played three times before for this team and we won all three - hopefully the outcome will be the same on Saturday," he said.

"But I watched the game France played against the All Blacks last Saturday and it was an outstanding performance for New Zealand.

"In a game like this you just never know if you can win. On the day we will just work it out ourselves. We are hoping the weather will be good so we can show how good we play together."

The 31-year-old 23-Test veteran feels that there is enough class and quality in the Baa-baas team to ensure they can stand up to whatever the Kiwis throw at them - that despite the fact that they will have had only a handful of practice sessions in which to gel into a unit.

"Over breakfast I was sneakily looking up at all the players and then it hit me that this team really is a class outfit, a bit of a dream team for me," Venter said.

"It is a great honour to play with these guys. However, putting 15 class players together on a pitch doesn't mean a team is going to gel on the day."

Venter, who does not have such fond memories of Twickenham, where the Boks got a 32-16 hammering at the hands of England a fortnight ago, said he was looking forward to return there in the hope of walking off a winner this time.

"It is outstanding that 55,000 people are coming to game. I am sure the fact that New Zealand are playing at Twickenham has helped the cause along with the name of the Barbarians," he said.

Another Springbok looking forward to his return to Twickenham is fellow flanker Schalk Burger, who was named the International Rugby Board (IRB) Player of the Year at the weekend.

"This season has been a bit of a surprise to me, but it has been a nice surprise and it is great to finish it playing for the Barbarians," said the youngster.

Werner Greeff, one of the four South Africans in the Baa-baas squad who was not part of the just completed Springbok tour of the British Isles, also regards it as a huge honour to be part of this great fixture.

"It was awesome to be invited to join the Barbarians and its one of the highlights of my career," Greeff said.

"I've been fortunate to play for South Africa and at club level in the Currie Cup and this is another honour I'm very proud of.

"There are so many great players within the Barbarians squad and you can learn so much from all of them.

"I've heard great things from other South African players, like Breyton Paulse, who have been invited to play by the Barbarians and to do so at Twickenham will be very exciting and a privilege.

"The spirit within the squad is excellent and although it's been a long season for many of these guys I've missed some of it because of a knee injury and I'm feeling fresh and up for the game on Saturday.

"I think all the players will be aiming to put on a good show on Saturday and show the supporters some top class rugby."