South Africa confirm World Cup squad

South Africa director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has confirmed a 31-man squad that will be part of the World Cup scheduled in Japan next month.

Flanker Siya Kolisi will lead the side after recently returning from an injury and lock Eben Etzebeth is also part of the squad despite claims he was involved in a couple of altercations at a beach resort. However, the South African board decided to back the 27-year-old after he went on to publicly deny the incident.

"It is completely untrue and unfounded to claim that I physically or racially abused anyone in Langebaan as has been reported on social media. Multiple witnesses can corroborate that," Etzebeth said in a statement.

Frans Steyn, Tendai Mtawarira and Francois Louw will be featuring in their third World Cup while 12 players will make their second appearance in the showpiece event. The squad is split between 14 forwards and 17 backs with the likes of Lukhanyo Am, Warrick Gelant, Herschel Jantjies, Cheslin Kolbe, Sbu Nkosi and Kwagga Smith making the cut despite featuring in less than 10 Tests until now.

"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 playoff match at the Rugby World Cup and deliver an outstanding performance," Erasmus said.

"We've been working towards this moment for the best part of two years and we've been lucky in achieving most of our goals this season.

"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."

South Africa World Cup squad:

Forwards: Schalk Brits, Lood de Jager, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi (c), Francois Louw, Frans Malherbe, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Tendai Mtawarira, Franco Mostert, Trevor Nyakane, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Duane Vermeulen.

Backs: Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Faf de Klerk, Warrick Gelant, Elton Jantjies, Herschel Jantjies, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Makazole Mapimpi, Sbu Nkosi, Willie le Roux, Handré Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Frans Steyn.