Heyneke Meyer has named his 31-man Springbok squad for the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England.
There are some notable omissions, particularly in the back-row where both Marcell Coetzee and Henrich Brussow – two brilliant breakdown technicians – miss out.
In the front row Coenie Oosthuizen gets the nod despite currently carrying an injury, while Trevor Nyakane is also in. There is no such luck for recent debutant Vincent Koch.
Rudy Paige, the Bulls scrum-half, is a surprise inclusion in the half-backs ahead of Cobus Reinach, and could well have a role to play given the injury-prone nature of FOurie du Preez.
In total there are nine players that lifted the World Cup trophy way back in 2007, lending an experienced spine to the squad.
SOUTH AFRICA SQUAD FOR THE 2015 RUGBY WORLD CUP
Forwards: Willem Alberts, Schalk Brits, Schalk Burger, Lood de Jager, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, Francois Louw, Frans Malherbe, Victor Matfield, Tendai Mtawarira, Trevor Nyakane, Coenie Oosthuizen, Adriaan Strauss, Duane Vermeulen.
Backs: Damian de Allende, Jean de Villiers (captain), Fourie du Preez, Bryan Habana, Zane Kirchner, Jesse Kriel, Pat Lambie, Willie le Roux, Lwazi Mvovo, Rudy Paige, Ruan Pienaar, JP Pietersen, Handré Pollard, Morné Steyn.
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
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Baie goeie gebalanseerde span!
Just hope those with injuries are fit to play.
Paige and kirchner???what about faf even joe pieterson full back??marcel mmmm not sure about that one unless he’s carring injury but us the springbok supporters will never know will we???
Wtf? Kirchner? Both Du Plessis? All useless!
Kak span
Marcel Coetzee has been cheated out of a world cup opportunity! Rudi Paige is the biggest mistake and waste of a spot. Where’s Cobus???? Shocked!!
Once again Heyneke Meyer’s stupid and pointless preference for the Bulls will bring about catastrophe! The idiocy of including an uncapped Paige over Cobus Reinach and other pathetic choices and obvious omissions will cost us the World Cup.
Absolutely appalling!
That’s so unfair. You have guys that showed everyone what they are made of and then some ass gets chosen in his place. You can see this is a political team and Heineke is helping to destroy rugby in South Africa. I am moving to New Zealand. The Springboks can win or lose , don’t give a shit
They can say what they want, this team was chosen with political intentions. Paige is the only black scrumhalf playing for the big franchises.Siya Kolisi chosen above Brossouw and Coetzee? Heyneke the public is not stupid and you are scared of Cosatu and they’re threats.
What a joke. We won’t make the semi finals.
Not a Lion in site! WTF!
A team without Henrich Brussow is not a representative South African team not a Springbok team. It is a farce.
I will now boycott by not watching the games. Enough is enough. Load of crap.
Symptomatic of so many things which are just plain wrong about sporting teams and political leadership which is not based on merit.
Cry the beloved country.
without Lion we will not make to semis.