Recuperating South Africa captain Siya Kolisi has been included in the squad for next month’s Rugby World Cup but other key players were left out because of injury, including influential five-eighth Handre Pollard and World Cup-winning centre Lukhanyo Am.
However, the pair could yet play a part in defending their World Cup.
Kolisi had major knee surgery in April but South Africa are confident he will be fit in time for their first pool game against Scotland in Marseille on September 10.
(Juan Jose Gasparini/Gallo Images/Getty Images)
There are 12 newcomers but the Boks have kept the bulk of the side that won the World Cup in Japan four years ago.
Head coach Jacques Nienaber named an interesting squad, featuring just two specialist hookers and four halfback options in his 33-man World Cup squad.
“We’ve picked a squad with a bunch of the players who can also cover alternative positions, which we’ll need in a very tough World Cup,” said Nienaber, with Deon Fourie providing cover at hooker and halfback Grant Williams on the wing.
Faf de Klerk is one of four halfbacks in Jacques Nienaber’s 33-man World Cup squad. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
But Am, who twisted his knee in a warm-up test against Argentina on Saturday, and Pollard, who has a long-running calf injury, were among the notable omissions when the squad was unveiled at an elaborate televised ceremony on Tuesday.
Also out is Lood de Jager, the giant lock who was also part of team four years ago. He has an unspecific chest complaint, SA Rugby said.
“There were some tough decision that had to be made,” Nienaber said.
“It’s not ideal, but I must say, that is the one thing from us as a coaching group. If someone didn’t get injured, there wouldn’t be a Siya (Kolisi) here now. I probably look at it from a positive point of view, injuries are never positive and it is unfortunate.
“But the next guy must just step in. We always said, Rassie (Erasmus) and myself, that we planned for 2023 since 2018. If you look at the quality and depth of the squad that was built over six years, that is what makes this team selection so difficult.
“Jesse (Kriel) is a straight swap for Lukhano and if you look at the squad, there is a lot of versatility. We can play Canan Moodie at 13, we can play Damian Willemse at 13 if we have to. There are a couple of options.
“Any game you play has an injury risk. You can either play guys and they become battle-hardened or you can wrap in cotton wool. You won’t have injured players, but you will take players into a World Cup where we are playing knock-out rugby from the very first game against Scotland. We still have five weeks left and we will have to work hard every day.”
Jacques Nienaber has defended his World Cup selection (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Am, De Jager and Pollard have been placed on standby with six other players and Nienaber said he was hopeful they may return to full training before the start of the tournament and be available in the event of injury to others.
Nienaber however hinted the world class could still yet play a role in France, saying they Am and Pollard, along with a handful of others, would be on standby throughout the tournament.
“Handre’s rehab went well, but he now needs to go through a Test match week and the demands of a Test match week,” Nienaber said. “He needs to be able to produce on a Saturday and then he has to back it up the next week and the next week without putting him in too early.
“He will be able to start training with us, whereas with Lukhanyo we think it is a two-to-four-week injury. It is still very acute, and we will probably get a better gauge at the end of this week how he is doing.
“We believe they both will have the potential to be fit and ready to go by the Scotland game, maybe the week after that, but they can only come into the World Cup squad if there is an injury or if a player does something to deselect himself.”
Kolisi is expected to play in one of the two warm-up internationals that the Boks will play over the next fortnight, against Wales in Cardiff on August 19 and New Zealand at Twickenham on August 25, as he looks to prove his fitness.
South Africa play in Pool B at the World Cup where they open their campaign against Scotland on September 10 and also meet Romania, Ireland and Tonga.
SOUTH AFRICA RUGBY WORLD CUP SQUAD
Backs: Damian de Allende, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Faf de Klerk, Andre Esterhuizen, Jaden Hendrikse, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Willie le Roux, Manie Libbok, Makazole Mapimpi, Canan Moodie, Cobus Reinach, Damian Willemse, Grant Williams.
Forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Deon Fourie, Steven Kitshoff, Jean Kleyn, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Frans Malherbe, Malcolm Marx , Bongi Mbonambi, Franco Mostert, Ox Nche, Trevor Nyakane, Marvin Orie, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Marco van Staden, Duane Vermeulen, Jasper Wiese.
Andrew
Roar Rookie
Ah okay, yeah I do remember him saying that. I thought it was an odd thing to say but didnt understand it as at the time I thought this was our official world cup squad. So presumably he's told the 4 scrumhalfs that they are still competing for world cup places and that one of them will be dropped should Pollard or Am be fit in time.
Jonty Shonty
Roar Pro
This is where I've got to with this too. Harry how concerned are you about playing time/form/cohesion of the desired starting 23? I guess they've played together a lot so perhaps cohesion less of an issue. Match fitness maybe the main thing?
Harry Jones
Expert
JN said they can "deselect" themselves in these 21 days.
Harry Jones
Expert
It was a lucrative TV event planned a year ago (except for the relative height of capping). Contract fulfilled. Built lots of vibe and energy. And a few guys got to walk on stage and have a good feeling. Also, JN/RE know this will create an urgency in the 9 who are not really there and the 9 who still need to get there.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Here is the list of South Africans in their 30s in the World Cup Squad. The difference between this and the kiwis is actually more than seven. Deon Fourie Bongi Mbonambi Steven Kitshoff Vincent Koch Frans Malherbe Trevor Nyakane Eben Etzebeth Franco Mostert Marvin Orie Pieter-Steph du Toit Siya Kolisi (c) Kwagga Smith Duane Vermeulen Faf de Klerk Cobus Reinach Damian de Allende Makazole Mapimpi Willie le Roux
Andrew
Roar Rookie
But now that the squad has been named publicly surely they couldn't just drop one of the named squad members for a returning player? Or is Rassie far more ruthless than I think.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
So why do it then Harry ? ( Rhetorical , I'm not actually asking you personally ) ...Should we then as fans detach from discussion based on the fact that we are being " hyped" ..Some would call it mischievous game playing ..I've noticed that suspiciously Jones is doing the same ..I've also noticed but anyone can correct me if I'm wrong but the All Black management are being far more forthcoming . Maybe there is something to read into that ..? You think ? .I'm not sure I'm comfortable with this at all. Folk who know where they are going to are mostly pretty forthright about it .At least in my experience .
Harry Jones
Expert
The deadline to name a squad is 30 August. That’s when the Bok squad will be known. 8 August was a pre-planned SuperSport TV event. There is really just a 42-player squad now. Pollard, Am, and Lood are incumbents and will have until 30 August to be fit. Don’t fall for the hype.
CheetahBok
Roar Rookie
Hmmmm maths doesn’t seem to be your strength ????
HenryHoneyBalls
Roar Rookie
Neither one of Am, pollard nor De Jager have ever won a game v Ireland between them so in some ways as an Ireland fan I dont think it matters that much as the next guys off the block are still good players perhaps without the memory of losing v Ireland. Libbok only has four tests but is used to playing against Irish sides. Will be interesting to see how he fares, he is certainly exciting to watch.
Rusty
Roar Guru
It was the formal naming so would have to go through the RWC player replacement protocol
Rusty
Roar Guru
Maybe Given both Hendriks and Williams are under a bit of an injury cloud anyways
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
That feels like wanting to keep the 9s fresh... probably being too clever for his own good.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
I missed the Scotland game! I don't know who reffed it but hope the refs are strong on this in future. Who knows how the age thing will pan out, we're in unchartered territory. It's having so many so old that's unusual, normally you have more of a balance of old heads and young legs. You expect people to have slowed down between 28 and 33. Experience, cohesion and strength could be the deciding factor, we'll see.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
About seven fewer than the Springboks have :laughing:
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
I'm currently writing an article about whose golden generation is at their peak for the world cup. New Zealand's is a long way past its peak, although overall our squad averages out much younger than yours (27v30) because most of the Whitelock/Brodie generation is now out of the team. I also make the point that although the Boks are far older than anyone who's won the world cup you have a real chance due to cohesion, experience and style of play. While I'm writing that, feel free to check out the South Africa article in the series: https://www.theroar.com.au/2023/06/02/golden-generations-the-unsung-hero-who-laid-the-platform-for-rassies-2019-world-cup-winners/
System of a Downey Jr
Roar Rookie
Yeah I think Italy, Namibia and Uruguay will be too strong for the ABs.
System of a Downey Jr
Roar Rookie
What an unusual squad make up. Obviously injuries have forced a few omissions but four half backs seems wild by any standards, yet only two hookers?! Theoretically they're playing every game? One recognised 10. Very odd. The one area you never have to question the Boks, especially defending world champions is in the forwards, but I see that backline more unsettled than they'd like to be. But there is experience throughout the squad - especially for those big moments in big games.
Rusty
Roar Guru
at the rate things are going ...they wont even need to be faked!
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Made my day boet !