Boks unveil surprise picks for World Cup
The Springboks will travel to the World Cup with four scrumhalves, a former Ireland lock and their oldest debutant after it was confirmed that the world champions will be without a trio of key players in France.
Jacques Nienaber’s 33-player squad features a strong mix of experience and some of the best up-and-coming young players in the country, while there was disappointment for three of the starting XV from the 32-12 victory over England in Yokohama four years ago who were ruled out by injury and illness.
Flyhalf Handre Pollard (calf), Lukhanyo Am (knee) and Lood de Jager (chest problem) have been placed on standby with six other players.
The Springbok coaches were hopeful that they may return to full training before the start of the tournament and be available for call-up in the event of injury.
Manie Libbok is the only out-and-out flyhalf in the squad, alongside utility back Damian Willemse. There are four scrumhalves in the squad, as Faf de Klerk and Cobus Reinach have been joined by Jaden Hendrikse and Grant Williams.
Meanwhile, Kleyn, who made his Springbok debut this year, is one of three locks in the squad, along with centurion Eben Etzebeth and Marvin Orie.
Franco Mostert will offer further support at lock, as one of two utility forwards in the squad, with Deon Fourie backing up at loose forward and hooker.
The team will be captained by Siya Kolisi, who is expected to be back in action against Wales in two weeks. Loosehead prop Ox Nche and Hendrikse – who have not appeared for the Boks in the past four matches – are also expected to return in the final two warm-up matches.
Springboks 2023 Rugby World Cup squad:
Forwards
Props:Steven Kitshoff (Ulster – 74 caps, 10 points)Vincent Koch (Cell C Sharks – 45 caps, 0 points)Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers – 61 caps, 5 points)Ox Nche (Cell C Sharks – 19 caps, 0 points)
Trevor Nyakane (Racing 92 – 61 caps, 5 points)
Hookers:
Locks:Eben Etzebeth (Cell C Sharks – 112 caps, 25 points)Jean Kleyn (Munster – 2 caps, 0 points)Marvin Orie (Perpignan – 14 caps, 0 points)
RG Snyman (Munster – 26 caps, 5 points)
Loose Forwards:Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz – 69 caps, 30 points)Siya Kolisi (captain – Racing 92 – 75 caps, 45 points)Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs – 33 caps, 25 points)Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls – 12 caps, 0 points)Duane Vermeulen (SA Rugby – 68 caps, 15 points)
Jasper Wiese (Leicester – 22 caps, 5 points)
Utility Forwards:Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers – 7 caps, 0 points)
Franco Mostert (Honda Heat – 65 caps, 15 points)
Backs
Scrumhalves:Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles – 48 caps, 44 points)Jaden Hendrikse (Cell C Sharks – 12 caps, 12 points)Cobus Reinach (Montpelllier – 25 caps, 45 points)
Grant Williams (Cell C Sharks – 4 caps, 0 points)
Flyhalves:Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers – 7 caps, 45 points)
Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers – 31 caps, 36 points).
Centres:Damian de Allende (Panasonic Wild Knights – 72 caps, 50 points)Andre Esterhuizen (Harlequins – 13 caps, 0 points)
Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles – 61 caps, 60 points)
Outside Backs:Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls – 9 caps, 50 points)Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath – 25 caps, 81 points)Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls – 86 caps, 65 points)Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks – 38 caps, 115 points)
Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls – 6 caps, 10 points).
