Springbok Rugby World Cup 2023 squad: Sharks dominate

The 33-man Springbok squad to play at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France has been named – and has set tongues wagging.

Seventeen of the 33 players are based overseas, with 15 representing South African teams.

Duane Vermeulen is currently ‘unattached’.

Locally, the Sharks have seven representatives, while the Bulls and Stormers have four each.

The Springboks have been drawn in Pool B at the tournament, alongside Ireland, Scotland, Tonga and Romania.

LIVE | Rugby World Cup 2023: Springbok squad announcement

SPRINGBOKS‘ POOL B FIXTURES

As times SA

Sunday, 10 September – South Africa v Scotland, Stade de Marseille, Marseille – 17:45

Sunday, 17 September – South Africa v Romania, Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux – 15:00

Saturday, 23 September – South Africa v Ireland, Stade de France, Saint-Denis – 21:00

Sunday, 1 October – South Africa v Tonga, Stade de Marseille, Marseille – 21:00

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South Africa are three-time winners of the World Cup, having tasted success at home in 1995, in France in 2007 and in Japan most recently in 2019.

Siya Kolisi will once again skipper the team.

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SPRINGBOKS RUGBY WORLD CUP SQUAD

Forwards:

Props: Steven Kitshoff (Ulster – 74 caps, 10 points), Vincent Koch (Sharks – 45 caps, 0 points), Frans Malherbe (Stormers – 61 caps, 5 points), Ox Nche (Sharks – 19 caps, 0 points), Trevor Nyakane (Racing 92 – 61 caps, 5 points).

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

Locks: Eben Etzebeth (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 (Bulls – 12 caps, 0 points), Duane Vermeulen (SA Rugby – 68 caps, 15 points), Jasper Wiese (Leicester – 22 caps, 5 points).

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

Backs:

Scrumhalves: Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles – 48 caps, 44 points), Jaden Hendrikse (Sharks – 12 caps, 12 points), Cobus Reinach (Montpelllier – 25 caps, 45 points), Grant Williams (Sharks – 4 caps, 0 points).

Flyhalves: Manie Libbok (Stormers – 7 caps, 45 points), Damian Willemse (Stormers – 31 caps, 36 points).

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 (Bulls – 9 caps, 50 points), Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath – 25 caps, 81 points), Willie le Roux (Bulls – 86 caps, 65 points), Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks – 38 caps, 115 points), Canan Moodie (Bulls – 6 caps, 10 points).

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