Perenara returns to Barbarians jersey 13 years on as van der Merwe earns first call-up

TJ Perenara is set to represent the Barbarians for the first time in 13 years, with the 89-cap All Black among a clutch of international stars named in the invitational side’s latest squad announcement. The veteran scrum-half, now 34 and playing club rugby in Japan with the BlackRams, last wore the famous black and white jersey in a 43-19 victory over Fiji at Twickenham, and won the final of his 89 All Blacks caps as recently as November 2024.

Duhan van der Merwe receives his first-ever Barbarians call-up after a difficult season with Edinburgh. The South African-born Scotland winger has also been named in Scotland’s Nations Championship squad and views the Barbarians fixtures as a valuable opportunity to build match sharpness ahead of those Tests.

“I can’t wait to join up with the Barbarians this summer. It is a massive honour and opportunity to represent them — it’s something I’ve always wanted to be part of,” said van der Merwe. “The Barbarians is a rugby institution and have some tough tests coming. To play for them against the World Champions will be a massive challenge and one I’m really looking forward to.”

He added: “It was frustrating the way our season ended with Edinburgh so to have the chance to get minutes in the legs ahead of the Scotland games in the Nations Championship will be really beneficial.”

Van der Merwe is joined in the squad by Scotland teammates D’Arcy Rae and Liam McConnell, while fellow Barbarian veteran Hamish Sinclair also returns having previously represented the side.

The squad is further bolstered at half-back by two exciting additions: Uruguayan scrum-half Santiago Arata, who plays his club rugby in the Top 14 with Castres, and Argentine fly-half Tomás Albornoz. Australian international Andrew Kellaway also features, bringing versatility, counter-attacking threat and proven Test-match experience to the group.

Further squad announcements are expected in due course.