Am and eight others miss out on World Cup, Kolisi FIT to lead

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber has named his 33 players for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

The squad was announced in Johannesburg on Tuesday and saw some few key players missing.

South Africa’s number one choice Flyhalf Handre Pollard will miss the World Cup due to a calf injury while highly rated centre Lukhanyo Am sustained a knee injury during Springboks’ 24-13 victory against Argentina in Buenos Aires and is not expected to recover in time.

ALSO READ: Springboks on offer at great odds for Rugby World Cup 2023 victory

Lood de Jager has also 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.

AM, POLLARD AMONGST BIG NAMES TO MISS WORLD CUP

Siya Kolisi, who is expected to be back in action against Wales in two weeks, will captain the Springboks tfor the second time at the Rugby World Cup.

ALSO READ: Rugby World Cup dream over! LIST of Springboks who MISSED out!

The 32-year-old suffered a knee injury earlier this year and it was initially feared that the flanker might miss the World Cup. During the squad announcement, Boks coach Jacques Nienaber said Kolisi will take the field in France and will play ina number of warm-up matches.

Springbok 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: Bongi Mbonambi (Cell C Sharks – 60 caps, 60 points), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears – 61 caps, 75 points).

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).

ALSO READ: EXCLUSIVE: ‘Springboks in better pre-World Cup shape now than in 2019’ — Lukhanyo Am

Utility Forwards: Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers – 7 caps, 0 points), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat – 65 caps, 15 points).

MUST READ: SPRINGBOKS – WORST AND BEST POSSIBLE WORLD RANKINGS HEADING INTO THE RUGBY WORLD CUP

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).

ALSO READ: Am says it will be huge blow if Kolisi does not make World Cup

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).