Jacques Nienaber has named the 33-man squad set to defend South Africa’s World Cup crown in France this year.
Nienaber and his coaching staff have opted for a 19-14 split between forwards and backs.
In a hammer blow to the side’s title ambitions, senior squad members Lood de Jager (illness), Lukhanyo Am and Handre Pollard (both injuries) have all been ruled out of the tournament.
Despite having played no international rugby this year, Siya Kolisi will lead the squad.
The Boks face Wales in Cardiff on 19 August and New Zealand in London on 25 August ahead of their first World Cup pool game against Scotland in Marseille on 10 September.
In some good news for the Boks, the injured trio have been named on an official list of standby players alongside fellow 2019 World Cup champions Thomas du Toit and Herschel Jantjies.
Nine players have been named on a standby list, including Handre Pollard, Lukhanyo Am, and Lood de Jager ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/tyi7KbGkOc
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) August 8, 2023
