The Springbok technical team have named a strong side for the crucial Rugby World Cup opener against Scotland on Sunday. 

Scrumhalf Faf de Klerk will get his 50th Test cap in the team. He is one of 11 players to retain their starting places from the team that recorded a record victory against New Zealand two weeks ago. 

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“We are pleased with the squad depth we have built in the last few months, and we believe this group of players strikes the right balance to achieve the result we need against Scotland,” said Nienaber.

SPRINGBOK SQUAD FOR RUGBY WORLD CUP OPENER: 

15 – Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) – 33 caps, 41 points (3t, 4c, 4pg, 2dg)

14 – Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls) – 10 caps, 55 points (11t)

13 – Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) – 62 caps, 70 points (14t)

12 – Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) – 73 caps, 50 points (10t)

11 – Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath) – 26 caps, 81 points (12t, 3c, 5pg)

10 – Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers) – 9 caps, 65 points (1t, 21c, 6pg)

9 – Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles) – 49 caps, 44 points (5t, 2c, 5pg)

8 – Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers) – 23 caps, 5 points (1t)

7 – Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) – 71 caps, 35 points (7t)

6 – Siya Kolisi (captain, Racing 92) – 77 caps, 50 points (10t)

5 – Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 67 caps, 15 points (3t)

4 – Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 113 caps, 25 points (5t)

3 – Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers) – 63 caps, 5 points (1t)

2 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 63 caps, 85 points (17t)

1 – Steven Kitshoff (Ulster) – 76 caps, 10 points (2t)

Replacements:

16 – Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 62 caps, 65 points (13t)

17 – Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 21 caps, 0 points

18 – Trevor Nyakane (Racing 92) – 62 caps, 5 points (1t)

19 – RG Snyman (Munster) – 28 caps, 5 points (1t)

20 – Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls) – 14 caps, 0 points

21 – Duane Vermeulen (SA Rugby) – 70 caps, 15 points (3t)

22 – Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 5 caps, 0 points

23 – Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls) – 87 caps, 65 points (13t)

RECORD BETWEEN SPRINGBOK AND SCOTLAND 

Played 28, Won 23, Lost 5. Points for: 742, Points against 321. Tries scored: 90, Tries conceded: 32. Highest score 68, Biggest win 58 points, Average score: 26-11. Win %: 82.1%

Scotland are ranked fifth in the world while the Boks are number two and pool rivals, Ireland are number one. Only two teams can qualify for the quarter-finals.