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Soccer Aid 2025: Who is Bryan Habana playing for World XI?
@Source: manchestereveningnews.co.uk
The annual Soccer Aid football match is back for 2025 with two teams taking to the Old Trafford pitch to raise money for charity. An England and a Rest of World XI, made up of football legends and celebrities, will face off on Sunday night in front of a TV audience of millions. The game raises money for UNICEF - and since first launching nearly 20 years ago has generated millions of pounds for the charity. Among those taking part this year is former rugby player Bryan Habana. The 42-year-old South African made more than 120 appearances for the Springboks between 2004 and 2016. Bryan is considered one of the greatest rugby union players of all time and equalled Jonah Lomu's career record of 15 tries in World Cups during the 2015 competition. He is also second place among all-time test try scorers, with 67 international tries. Bryan spent most of his career playing for teams in South Africa, but moved to Toulon in 2013 and spent five years at the club. He retired from rugby in 2018. Playing at Old Trafford will be a huge occasion for Bryan and his family. Bryan, whose full name is Bryan Gary Habana, was named after Bryan Robson and Gary Bailey by his Manchester United–loving parents. Soccer Aid was created by music legend Robbie Williams in 2006 and since then has raised over £90m to aid UNICEF in helping support millions of children around the world to have healthy and happy childhoods. The money raised from this year’s game could help UNICEF protect children from disease and malnutrition, support their mental health and respond in times of crisis. This year's England XI features the likes of Jermain Defoe, Bear Grylls, Tom Grennan, Joe Hart, Gary Neville and Louis Tomlinson. Playing for the Rest of the World XI are stars including Tony Bellew, Nemanja Vidic, Gorka Marquez and Martin Compston. Wayne Rooney , Tommy Fury and Vicky McClure joins Harry Redknapp on the England bench, and facing them down as the Word XI manager will be Peter Schmeichel. The live show will be hosted by UNICEF UK Ambassador Dermot O’Leary, who will be joined by Alex Scott with Sam Matterface and Jason Manford commenting. Soccer Aid takes place on Sunday June 15 at Old Trafford with coverage on ITV1 from 6pm.
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