Who is in South Africa’s Rugby World Cup squad?

Forwards

Vincent Koch, Ox Nché, Frans Malherbe, Trevor Nyakane, Steven Kitshoff, Bongi Mbonambi, Malcolm Marx, Marvin Orie, RG Snyman, Jean Kleyn, Eben Etzebeth, Marco van Staden, Jasper Wiese, Kwagga Smith, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Duane Vermeulen, Siya Kolisi (captain), Franco Mostert, Deon Fourie.

Backs

Faf de Klerk, Jaden Hendrikse, Grant Williams, Cobus Reinach, Manie Libbok, Damian Willemse, André Esterhuizen, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Canan Moodie, Cheslin Kolbe, Makazole Mapimpi, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Willie le Roux.

Latest South Africa news

Canan Moodie will play a first Test at centre and there is another start for returning captain Siya Kolisi as head coach Nienaber named his team to play New Zealand in a Rugby World Cup warm-up at Twickenham.

Wing Moodie scored two tries in the 52-16 win over Wales in Cardiff at the weekend but will move to a less familiar role at outside centre in place of Jesse Kriel, who also got a brace in that game. He has not played centre since schoolboy level.

The injury absence of stalwart Lukhanyo Am means 20-year-old Moodie will provide cover at No 13 for the Springboks.

He will partner André Esterhuizen in the midfield, with Damian Willemse, showing no ill-effects of his clash of heads with Wales wing Rio Dyer, starting in the full-back position.

Kurt-Lee Arendse returns to the side on the wing along with 2019 World Cup winner Makazole Mapimpi. Fly-half Manie Libbok and Faf de Klerk make up the halfback pairing.

Kolisi played 40 minutes against Wales after returning from a serious knee injury sustained in April, the first time he has appeared in the green and gold jersey in 2023.

He will get another run against the All Blacks as he builds fitness ahead of the Boks’ World Cup Pool B opener against Scotland in Marseille.

Pieter-Steph du Toit retains his place as the other flanker, while 37-year-old Duane Vermeulen comes in at No 8.

Eben Etzebeth and Franco Mostert also return as the lock pairing but the front row is the same with hooker Malcolm Marx packing down alongside props Steven Kitshoff and Frans Malherbe.

“Our objective since the beginning of the season was to strike a balance between performance and managing player load with only six Test matches to get ready for the World Cup, and we’re pleased with the way we’ve developed in that regard,” Nienaber said.

“In the last five matches we’ve given everyone, with the exception of the injured players, valuable game time, which is vital going into the World Cup, and we’re satisfied with the way we’ve been building as a team.”

South Africa team to face New Zealand

15. Damian Willemse, 14. Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13. Canan Moodie, 12. André Esterhuizen, 11. Makazole Mapimpi, 10. Manie Libbok, 9. Faf de Klerk, 8. Duane Vermeulen, 7. Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6. Siya Kolisi (captain), 5. Franco Mostert, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 3. Frans Malherbe, 2. Malcolm Marx, 1. Steven Kitshoff.

Replacements: 16. Bongi Mbonambi, 17. Ox Nché, 18. Trevor Nyakane, 19. Jean Kleyn, 20. RG Snyman, 21. Marco van Staden, 22. Cobus Reinach, 23. Willie le Roux.

What are the best of the betting odds?

• New Zealand to win: 5/2
• France: 10/3
• Ireland: 9/2
• South Africa: 9/2
• England: 14/1
• Australia: 14/1
• Argentina: 33/1
• Wales: 40/1

Odds correct as of August 21