Ackermann's A-Team loads up on Boks

The match is the first of two against the visiting Saxons.

Captain Teboho Mohoje, fellow loose forward Nizaam Carr, lock Stephan Lewies and prop Vincent Koch have all been capped by the Springboks.

Ackermann has also included two other Springboks on the bench - prop Coenie Oosthuizen and scrumhalf Piet van Zyl.

They will be joined in the SA A matchday 23 by six players who only got their first taste of Super Rugby earlier this year - utility back Leolin Zas, lock John Schickerling (both starting), prop Lizo Gqoboka, loose forward Jean-Luc du Preez, lock Rudolph Snyman and midfielder Lukhanyo Am (all four on the bench).

The four members of the Springbok squad for the three-Test series against Ireland - who were released to the SA A squad - will all start on Friday.

They are Garth April (flyhalf), Nic Groom (scrumhalf), Sikhumbuzo Notshe (flank) and Siyabonga Ntubeni (hooker).

"I think we have a brilliant mix of experienced players who have tasted what Test rugby is all about, as well as the four members of the Springbok squad, and exciting youngsters who will be pushing for higher honours in the coming seasons," said Ackermann.

"There is a lot of value in having players with Test and Super Rugby experience working with these youngsters and I'm sure we'll see some excitement on the field on Friday.

"But we're up against a very formidable opponent and the Saxons have been together for a long time already, so our players know that they have to sharp, focused and on top of their game for the full 80 minutes on Friday."

The second encounter between the SA A side and the England Saxons is next Friday at Outeniqua Park in George.

South Africa A: 15 Leolin Zas, 14 Travis Ismaiel, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Howard Mnisi, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Garth April, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Teboho Mohoje (captain), 6 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 John Schickerling, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Siyabonga Ntubeni, 1 Thomas du Toit.

Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Coenie Oosthuizen, 19 Rudolph Snyman, 20 Jean-Luc du Preez, 21 Piet van Zyl, 22 Francois Brummer, 23 Lukhanyo Am.

Date: Friday, June 10

Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein

Kick-off: 19.10 (18.10 England time; 17.10 GMT)

Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge (South Africa)

Assistant referees: Lourens van der Merwe (South Africa), Jaco Kotze (South Africa)

TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)