Springboks Lukhanyo Am x Handre Pollard among nine stand-by players
Lukhanyo Am and Handre Pollard in action. Photo: Michael Sheehan / AFP

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

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

Jacques Nienaber has named his 33-man squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup and a few big names are missing from the list.

08-08-23 17:29
Springboks Lukhanyo Am x Handre Pollard among nine stand-by players
Lukhanyo Am and Handre Pollard in action. Photo: Michael Sheehan / AFP

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.

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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.

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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).

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

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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).