South Africa confirm 32-man squad for end of year tour

South Africa coach Jacques Nienaber has unveiled a 32-man squad for the end of the year tour.

Scrum-half Faf de Klerk is sidelined for five months following a hip injury while Cheslin Kolbe, Frans Malherbe, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Rynhardt Elstadt and RG Snyman are also unavailable for the tour after failing to make sufficient recovery from their respective injuries.

The squad also has two uncapped players in Grant Williams, who travelled with the Springboks squad for the Queensland leg of the Rugby Championship tournament along with Salmaan Moerat.

“This tour is going to be exciting yet challenging,” said Nienaber.

“The core group of players who played a key role in the series against the British & Irish Lions, as well as the Castle Lager Rugby Championship will remain together as we build consistency and continuity in our squad with an eye on the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

“We had to travel to Australia with an expanded squad due the strict COVID-19 protocols in the country, but with the easing of travel restrictions to Europe and the UK, we were able to revert to a more manageable touring squad.

“We are two years out from the Rugby World Cup in France, and we have close to 20 Test matches before we start our defence of the title, so every match will count in terms of building confidence and consistency as a group."

South Africa will be facing Wales, Scotland and England during their November series fixtures.

South Africa squad:

Forwards: Thomas du Toit, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Ox Nche, Trevor Nyakane, Joseph Dweba, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth, Salmaan Moerat, Marvin Orie, Siya Kolisi, Kwagga Smith, Marco van Staden, Duane Vermeulen, Jasper Wiese, Franco Mostert

Backs: Herschel Jantjies, Cobus Reinach, Grant Williams, Elton Jantjies, Handré Pollard, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel, Aphelele Fassi, Willie le Roux, Makazole Mapimpi, Sbu Nkosi, Damian Willemse, Frans Steyn.