LONDON – Springbok Coach Heyneke Meyer has named his 31-man Rugby World Cup squad throwing in a number of curve-balls in his selection.
Talented backs Frans Steyn and Jan Serfontein have been left out of the squad while French-based fly-half Morne Steyn has been included.
Despite facing a race to be fit for the tournament, centre Jean de Villiers has been named and will captain the side. As expected, Victor Matfield will play in his fourth World Cup and promising youngster Damian de Allende will line up in the centres after making his debut in 2015.
South Africa’s 31-man Rugby World Cup squad
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.