SOUTH AFRICA:ULSTER'S JOHANN Muller has been included in South Africa's World Cup squad as coach Peter de Villiers sprang a couple of surprises in an otherwise tried and tested selection.
Muller’s Ulster team-mate Ruan Pienaar is among the panel while former Leinster prop CJ van der Linde and Munster centre Jean de Villiers are also included.
De Villiers will rely on the core of the squad that became world champions four years ago after naming his 30-man travelling party.
There were 18 survivors from that world-title clinching team, including 12 of those who started in the 15-6 final victory over England in Paris.
Skipper John Smit, who will appear in his third World Cup, will lead the team despite coming in for some criticism during the Springboks’ Tri Nations campaign, which ended with their first win of the campaign over an under-strength New Zealand at the weekend.
De Villiers selected a largely predictable squad although Odwa Ndungane got the nod ahead of fellow Sharks winger Lwazi Mvovo while new Bath signing Francois Louw was favoured ahead of Ashley Johnson.
Fellow loose forward Schalk Burger was also included despite not having played since breaking his right thumb during the Super Rugby semi-finals on July 2nd.
“The squad has a backbone of proven title-winning ability and experience as well as a strong component of new stars,” added De Villiers.
“Injury has denied us one or two players who could have been very important to us, but I am very happy with the squad we have picked.
De Villiers added: “We have good coverage for every position and front-line players who have shown over the past half-dozen seasons that they know how to win big games.”
South Africa are due to fly out to New Zealand on September 1st ahead of their first World Cup match against Wales 10 days later in Wellington.
South Africa
BACKS– Francois Steyn, Gio Aplon, Patrick Lambie, Bryan Habana, Odwa Ndungane, JP Pietersen, Juan de Jongh, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, Butch James, Morne Steyn, Fourie du Preez, Francois Hougaard, Ruan Pienaar.
FORWARDS– Pierre Spies, Willem Alberts, Heinrich Brussow, Schalk Burger, Francois Louw, Bakkies Botha, Victor Matfield, Johann Muller, Danie Rossouw, Jannie Du Plessis, CJ van der Linde, Bismarck du Plessis, Chiliboy Ralepelle, John Smit (captain), Tendai Mtawarira, Guthro Steenkamp.
