As It Stands: Selecting a 31-man Springbok Squad for 2019 RWC
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Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has limited time to finalise his squad ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup with test rugby done and dusted for 2018.
Erasmus' charges kick off their Rugby World Cup against the current World Champions, New Zealand at Nissan Stadium on September 21 next year.
The Springbok head coach has used a number of players since taking over from Alister Coetzee this year and has handed debuts to likes of Aphiwe Dyantyi, Sbu Nkosi, Cheslin Kolbe and a number of other stars who have performed for the South Africans.
Ultimate Rugby have put themselves in Erasmus' shoes and taken up the unenviable task of selecting a 31-man squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
There are a number of talented players that don't make the squad including the likes of Bismark du Plessis, Jan Serfontein, Thomas du Toit, Frans Steyn, JP Pieterson and all three of the du Preez brothers.
A number of players also have Springbok contracts which almost assures them a place on the plane to Japan. The likes of Lood de Jager, Trevor Nyakane, Steven Kitshoff, Eben Etzebeth, Handre Pollard, Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel are a few of those players.
We have also included a real bolter in our squad for the World Cup with Pat Lambie featuring despite not representing the Boks under Rassie Erasmus.
Props (5):
Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe, Vincent Koch, Tendai Mtwarira and Trevor Nyakane.
Hookers (3):
Schalk Brits, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi
Second Rows (4):
Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert, Lood de Jager and RG Snyman
Back Rows (5):
Siya Kolisi, Duane Vermeulen, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Francois Louw and Warren Whiteley
Scrum-Halves (3):
Faf de Klerk, Ivan van Zyl and Embrose Papier
Fly-Halves (2):
Eton Jantjies and Handre Pollard
Centres (3):
Damian de Allende, Lukanyo Am and Jesse Kriel
Back Three (4):
Willie Le Roux, Sbu Nkosi, Aphiwe Dyantyi and Cheslin Kolbe
Utility Backs (2):
Damian Willemse and Pat Lambie
