No major surprises as Boks coach names Rugby World Cup squad

There were no major surprises as Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus named a strong 31-men 2019 Rugby World Cup Japan squad in Randburg, Johannesburg on Monday.

Loose forward and team captain Siyamthanda Kolisi is set to lead the side at the world showpiece following his steady recovery from a knee injury which saw him miss a chunk of their victorious Rugby Championships campaign.

Erasmus says he is also nervous ahead of the tournament largely due to the hype that the Springboks have created in the country over the last few months.

There were expected omissions flankers Rynhardt Elstadt and Marcel Coetzee, whose inclusion also largely depended on Kolisi’s progress.

Duane Vermeulen, Frans Louw, Kwagga Smith and Pieter-Steph du Toit together with Kolisi will complete the five loose forwards at the world showpiece.

Erasmus adds that those left behind could still play a part at the World Cup should there be injuries.

The Port Elizabeth-born Kolisi says their ultimate dream going to Japan is to win the William Web Ellis trophy and he believes that Springboks have put themselves in the right place to contest for the trophy.

Kolisi will be the first-ever black African players to lead the Boks at the world rugby tournament.

The 27-year-old, who has a long history with Erasmus dating back to Western Province days, says he also relishes the Boks team environment which is filled with a number of leaders. – Report by Thando Gqamane