South Africa connection: The stunning Saracens XV made up of players from the country

Lock: Alistair Hargreaves

Hargreaves made 79 appearances for the Men in Black since arriving at the club from Super Rugby franchise Sharks in 2012. He then skippered Saracens to the 2014/15 Aviva Premiership title in his first season as Club captain. The lock then retired from rugby with immediate effect in October 2016 following a concussion injury.

He scored a try on his debut for Saracens in a 27–14 defeat against London Irish at the Madejski Stadium on 23 November 2009. However, despite a series of good performances, on 18 March 2010, it was confirmed that Saracens had released him to return to South Africa where he would play for the Lions. This was a surprise, as Saracens had indicated he would see out the season with the club.

Making his Saracens debut in September 2016, Burger was part of the side that defended the Champions Cup title, claiming the second of two victories in a row in Edinburgh in May 2017.

The sight of Schalk Burger in the famous green Springbok jersey has been one that has dominated South African rugby for the majority of the 21st century, winning 86 caps for South Africa. His international career has seen him win a World Cup in 2007, a World Cup Bronze medal in 2015 and face the 2009 British & Irish Lions. He was also named IRB Player of the Year in 2004.

Another World Cup-winning captain, under his leadership Saracens, won the Tetley’s Bitter Cup (Anglo-Welsh Cup) in 1998 and came in second during the Guinness Premiership, the top division in the English rugby system.

During the next two seasons, the Saracens came in second and forth in the standings qualifying for the European Cup both times. In 2000, Pienaar retired as a player to become the Saracens’ CEO and remained as coach.

Due to the team’s lack of success in the subsequent two years, Pienaar believed it was best if he stepped down as CEO and coach in 2002.

The 35-year old South African loose forward, who has starred for Saracens since his arrival at the club in 2009, hung up his boots after a stellar career in 2015 after representinh the Men in Black on 160 occasions. During his six year spell at the club, Joubert has lifted the Aviva Premiership on two occasions.