Springboks Rugby World Cup squad raring to go in Japan

The Springboks’ Rugby World Cup squad of 31 players named on 31 August will travel to Japan with a great blend of experienced and youth according to coach Rassie Erasmus.

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – AUGUST 26: The team during the South African national rugby team squad announcement at Ulwazi Centre, MultiChoice City on August 26, 2019 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images)

Erasmus picked almost exactly the squad everyone believed he would or indeed, should have picked.

The injuries to Marcell Coetzee and the confirmation of the unavailability of Aphiwe Dyantyi left little doubt about who would be in the final group of 31.

This Springbok team has the look of a group that has been built up over several years, with immense experience at Erasmus’ disposal.

Three players will be attending their third World Cup – Frans Steyn, Tendai Mtawarira and Francois Louw. A further 12 players will get their second taste of a Rugby World Cup.

Five Springboks in the Rugby World Cup squad sport more than 50 caps – Eben Etzebeth, Willie le Roux, Louw, Steyn and Mtawarira. The ‘Beast’ Mtawarira is the most experienced players in the squad with a whopping 110 caps.

Erasmus feels that the Rugby Championship performances have demonstrated the depth of the Springboks squad and he couldn’t be happier with his group of players.

“I am very happy with the squad we have been able to select,” said Erasmus.

“We have been developing this squad since the start of last season and in the 31 we have a good balance of established experience and some exciting youth.

“We set out with the goal of growing the depth of the squad and I am confident that any of this 31 can step into a play-off match at the Rugby World Cup and deliver an outstanding performance.”

Erasmus made it clear that the Springboks still had plenty of work ahead of them to ensure they enjoy a succesful Rugby World Cup.

“We’ve been lucky in achieving most of our goals this season – we’ve been able to give everyone in the squad some good game time as well as develop combinations with squad rotation and not lose momentum as we go to the World Cup,” said Erasmus.

“But the results and performances up to now will mean nothing once we are in Japan. It is a case of back to square one; putting in the work on the training field and in the planning sessions to build on what we have achieved.”

The coach is delighted with how his team have shaped up ahead of the World Cup and says his squad are eager for the Rugby World Cup to begin.

“We have planned and trained to be competitive at the Rugby World Cup and the work we have done and the performances to date this year have put us into a good space,” said Erasmus.

“Rugby World Cups are usually decided by small margins – a foot in touch here or a referee’s call there – but we have a very good squad that has grown into a tight unit over the past few months and we have grown stronger together.

“I’m sure I speak for the squad when I say we can’t wait for the games to begin.”

The Springboks open their Rugby World Cup campaign against the All Blacks in Yokohama on Saturday, 21 September before further Pool B matches against Namibia (28 September), Italy (4 October) and Canada (8 October). – www.thesouthafrican.com

The Springbok squad is (in alphabetical order):