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Cape Town - Springbok captain Jean de Villiers is the only player assured of his place in next year's Rugby World Cup squad, coach Heyneke Meyer has revealed.
A squad of 31 players will be picked for next year's showpiece event in England and Wales.
Speaking to Netwerk24 at the announcement of his team to play Wales in Cardiff on Saturday, Meyer said: "Several players are close to being included in the World Cup squad. But only Jean's position is safe. We can only pick 31 players and six of those will be props."
Meyer said he was happy with the depth at his disposal less than a year away from the World Cup.
"We have three top players in every position and there's not much to choose between them. That's what we strived for in the year before the World Cup. Even the lock position, where I was worried about our depth, we suddenly have options. I also still rate Morne Steyn highly as a flyhalf."
Saturday's Test against Wales at Millennium Stadium kicks off at 16:30 (SA time).
A squad of 31 players will be picked for next year's showpiece event in England and Wales.
Speaking to Netwerk24 at the announcement of his team to play Wales in Cardiff on Saturday, Meyer said: "Several players are close to being included in the World Cup squad. But only Jean's position is safe. We can only pick 31 players and six of those will be props."
Meyer said he was happy with the depth at his disposal less than a year away from the World Cup.
"We have three top players in every position and there's not much to choose between them. That's what we strived for in the year before the World Cup. Even the lock position, where I was worried about our depth, we suddenly have options. I also still rate Morne Steyn highly as a flyhalf."
Saturday's Test against Wales at Millennium Stadium kicks off at 16:30 (SA time).
Teams:
Wales:
TBA
South Africa:
15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Jan Serfontein, 12 Jean de Villiers (captain), 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Pat Lambie, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Teboho “Oupa” Mohoje, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Substitutes: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Julian Redelinghuys, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Francois Hougaard, 22 Handré Pollard, 23 Damian de Allende
