Ireland's Eddie O'Sullivan reckons coaching the British Barbarians against the Springboks might be the best tonic to get over his World Cup horror.

The Irish, touted as potential cup winners at one stage, fell victim to the Pool of Death when they lost to France and Argentina and were bundled out of the World Cup without even reaching the quarter-finals.

That left O'Sullivan, who had already been reappointed by Ireland before the tournament, facing a re-examination from his bosses.

Now, as he readies for another Six Nations campaign, what better way to get things back on track than to try to topple the world champion Springboks at Twickenham this weekend as he coaches a hugely talented British Barbarians side?

"Since then (the World Cup) it has been a tough time trawling through everything that happened," he said.

"That process has nearly come to an end and the Barbarians offers me an opportunity to get back on the horse.

"It feels good to be back on the horse. You always ask hard questions and the hardest questions you ask are of yourself. We certainly have something to prove in the Six Nations."

O'Sullivan said the Barbarians would bring their traditional free-running approach to this match that wraps up the international year and marks Jake White's last game in charge of the Boks.

"Coaching the Barbarians is a unique honour and it gives me the opportunity to work with some hugely talented people," he said.

"It's very different to coaching Six Nations or international level. You just have to act as a conduit between these players - a kind of facilitator. In many way with the Barbarians less is more."

SOUTH AFRICA: 15-Ruan Pienaar, 14-Akona Ndungane, 13-Jaque Fourie, 12-Francois Steyn, 11-Bryan Habana, 10-Andre Pretorius, 9-Enrico Januarie, 8-Ryan Kankowski, 7-Juan Smith, 6-Schalk Burger, 5-Johan Ackermann, 4-Johann Muller, 3-Jannie Du Plessis, 2-Bismarck Du Plessis, 1-CJ Van der Linde. Reserves: 16-Tiaan Liebenberg, 17-Heinke Van Der Merwe, 18-Albert Van Den Berg, 19-Barend Pieterse, 20-Wynand Olivier, 21-Wayne Julies, 22-Conrad Jantjes.

BARBARIANS: 15 Jason Robinson (England), 14 Joe Rokocoko (Blues & New Zealand), 13 Conrad Smith (Hurricanes & New Zealand), 12 Ma'a Nonu (Hurricanes & New Zealand), 11 Isoa Neivua (Warriors & Fiji), 10 Matt Giteau (Western Force & Australia), 9 Justin Marshall (Ospreys & New Zealand), 8 Jerry Collins (Hurricanes & New Zealand), 7 Martyn Williams (Cardiff & Wales), 6 Rocky Elsom (Waratahs & Australia), 5 Justin Harrison (Ulster & Australia), 4 Brent Cockbain (Wales), 3 Salesi Ma'afu (Brumbies), 2 Mark Regan (Bristol & England, captain), 1 Frederico Pucciarello (Munster & Italy). Reserves: 16 Schalk Brits (Stormers), 17 JD Moller (Stormers), 18 Troy Flavell (Blues & New Zealand), 19 Michael Owen (Dragons & Wales), 20 Tom Shanklin (Cardiff & Wales), 21 Peter Grant (Stormers), 22 Ben Cohen (England).