Sharks director of rugby Jake White has selected 12 Springboks in his squad to play Saracens at Allianz Park in London.

On 25 January the Currie Cup champions will play the current English Premiership leaders in a unique clash between north and south.

'Playing Saracens on the artificial turf at Allianz Park is just about the toughest match we could have organised as we conclude our preparations for the new season, but we are excited by the challenge,' said White.

Saracens have included 10 South Africans in their squad. Centre Brad Barritt and scrumhalf Neil de Kock are among the backs, while hooker Schalk Brits, props Matt Stevens and Petrus du Plessis, locks Alistair Hargreaves and Mouritz Botha, and loose forwards Nick Fenton-Wells, Justin Melck and Ernst Joubert feature up front.

Sharks squad – Lourens Adriaanse, Willem Alberts, Dale Chadwick, Marcell Coetzee, Kyle Cooper, Keegan Daniel, Jean Deysel, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Stephan Lewies, Tendai Mtawarira, Tera Mtembu, Etienne Oosthuizen, Andre Esterhuizen, Tyler Fisher, Paul Jordaan, Charl McLeod, Lwazi Mvovo, Odwa Ndungane, Cobus Reinach, Francois Steyn, Timothy Swiel, Jaco van Tonder, Heimar Williams.

Saracens squad – Nick Auterac, Richard Barrington, Brad Barritt, Steve Borthwick (c), Marcelo Bosch, Mouritz Botha, Schalk Brits, Jacques Burger, Neil de Kock, Petrus du Plessis, Nick Fenton-Wells, Jamie George, Alistair Hargreaves, Charlie Hodgson, Ernst Joubert, Justin Melck, Sam Stanley, David Strettle, Matt Stevens, Michael Tagicakibau, Duncan Taylor, Richard Wigglesworth, Chris Wyles.

Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images