RWC team announced: The broad shoulders on which the nation’s hopes rest
The men heading off to France will carry with them the hopes of the nation for a fourth victory and some cheer to offset the gloom of load-shedding and financial hardship.
Siya Kolisi will lead the Springboks in the defence of their Rugby World Cup (RWC) title in France.
The tournament will be played from September 8 to October 28.
The South African squad of 33 players was announced at a press conference in Randburg this afternoon.
Kolisi will become the first player to lead the Springboks in consecutive World Cups.
Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber went with a 19/14 split between the forwards and backs.
Nine players from the squad selected for the RWC warm-up match against Argentina missed out on selection. They are Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Joseph Dweba (Stormers), Lood de Jager (Saitama Wild Knights), Evan Roos (Stormers), Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks), Herschel Jantjies (Stormers), Handré Pollard (Leicester Tigers) and Lukhanyo Am (Sharks). Am’s omission is due to an injury he picked up in the match against Argentina on Saturday.
Pollard (calf), Am (knee) and De Jager (chest problem) have been placed on stand-by.
There is a good mix of experience and youthful talent in the squad.
Whether Kolisi will start or come off the bench in the two remaining warm-up matches against Wales and New Zealand will be determined closer to the start of the RWC. He is also likely to be carefully managed during the early stages of the tournament to ensure he does not re-injure his knee. The squad has an array of capable leaders who can stand in as captain, including Duane Vermeulen, Steven Kitshoff and Eben Etzebeth.
The squad will depart from South Africa on Saturday. The official send-off function at OR Tambo International Airport is at 14:15.
The Boks will play warm-up matches against Wales at the Principality Stadium on Saturday, August 19, and New Zealand at Twickenham on Friday, August 25.
South Africa will face Scotland in their opening RWC match at Stade Marseille on Sunday, September 10.
Springbok squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup:
Props: Steven Kitshoff (Ulster), Vincent Koch (Cell C Sharks), Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers), Ox Nche (Cell C Sharks), Trevor Nyakane (Racing 92).
Hookers: Bongi Mbonambi (Cell C Sharks), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears).
Locks: Eben Etzebeth (Cell C Sharks), Jean Kleyn (Munster), Marvin Orie (Perpignan), RG Snyman (Munster).
Loose forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Siya Kolisi (Racing 92), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Duane Vermeulen (unattached), Jasper Wiese (Leicester).
Utility forwards: Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat).
Scrumhalves: Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Jaden Hendrikse (Cell C Sharks), Cobus Reinach (Montpelllier), Grant Williams (Cell C Sharks).
Flyhalves: Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers).
Centres: Damian de Allende (Panasonic Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Harlequins), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles).
Outside backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath), Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls), Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls).
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