Springboks coach names squad for Rugby World Cup opener

Coach Jacques Nienaber has named his Springboks squad for the Rugby World Cup opener against Scotland on Sunday. South Africa will start their Rugby World Cup campaign on Sunday at 17:45.

The match will also see Springbok scrumhalf Faf de Klerk win his 50th Test cap. De Klerk is also one of 11 players to retain their starting places from the team that beat New Zealand two weeks ago.

The Boks, who are ranked second, will face a fifth-ranked Scotland side. They are also in the same group as World number one Ireland, Tonga and Romania.

COACH JACQUES NIENABER LOOKING FORWARD TO RUGBY WORLD CUP OPENER

“We are pleased with the squad depth we have built in the last few months,” said Nienaber.

 “We believe this group of players strikes the right balance to achieve the result we need against Scotland.

“The players are very excited about this occasion. We’ve been building for this World Cup for the last four years and we are thrilled to get our campaign started,” he said.

“We’ve been working hard in the last few weeks to make sure we are as prepared as possible going into this match and we are fully aware of the challenge that awaits us.”

Nienaber has also commended De Klerk for reaching a significant career milestone of 50 caps. “Earning 50 Test caps is a massive achievement. To mark that feat in the opening game of the Rugby World Cup makes it very special,” he said.

“Faf has been a key member of our team for a few years, so we are delighted for him. Needless to say, we’re all focused on making sure it’s a memorable occasion for him and the rest of us.”

SPRINGBOKS SQUAD FOR THE SCOTLAND MATCH

15 – Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) – 33 caps, 41 points (3t, 4c, 4pg, 2dg)
14 – Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls) – 10 caps, 55 points (11t)
13 – Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) – 62 caps, 70 points (14t)
12 – Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) – 73 caps, 50 points (10t)
11 – Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath) – 26 caps, 81 points (12t, 3c, 5pg)
10 – Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers) – 9 caps, 65 points (1t, 21c, 6pg)
9 – Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles) – 49 caps, 44 points (5t, 2c, 5pg)
8 – Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers) – 23 caps, 5 points (1t)
7 – Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) – 71 caps, 35 points (7t)
6 – Siya Kolisi (captain, Racing 92) – 77 caps, 50 points (10t)
5 – Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 67 caps, 15 points (3t)
4 – Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 113 caps, 25 points (5t)
3 – Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers) – 63 caps, 5 points (1t)
2 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 63 caps, 85 points (17t)
1 – Steven Kitshoff (Ulster) – 76 caps, 10 points (2t)

REPLACEMENTS

16 – Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 62 caps, 65 points (13t)
17 – Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 21 caps, 0 points
18 – Trevor Nyakane (Racing 92) – 62 caps, 5 points (1t)
19 – RG Snyman (Munster) – 28 caps, 5 points (1t)
20 – Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls) – 14 caps, 0 points
21 – Duane Vermeulen (SA Rugby) – 70 caps, 15 points (3t)
22 – Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 5 caps, 0 points
23 – Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls) – 87 caps, 65 points (13t)