Nienaber reiterates that 33-man squad will remain if there are not injuries

By Ayanda Nyuswa

Springboks coach Jacques Nienaber has reiterated that his chosen 33-man squad for the Rugby World Cup will remain the same if there are not injuries in the squad. Nienaber spoke to the Media on Saturday ahead of the Boks official send off to Europe for their final two warm up matches ahead of the World Cup in France.

Nienaber’s squad selection got a lot of tounges wagging as he left out world cup winners Handre Pollard, Lukhanyo Am and Lood de Jager. The biggest talking point was the omission of Pollard who is now back in training after recovering from a calf injury, and the Boks will have Manie Libbok as the only recognised Fly Half in the world cup squad.

“If you look at Handre currently he is probably at 20/25%, he has only done two sessions with us, he has done one attack session and one defence session.”

“He is currently operating at 25% maybe 50% at most, we can push him to 80% but I promise you the risk of us now losing him in the next three to four weeks will be high.” Nienaber explained.

The Springboks will take on Wales in Cardiff on Saturday 19 August, and wrap up their World Cup preparations against the All Blacks in London on 25 August 2023.

World Cup teams have a deadline of 21 August to submit their final world cup squads and Nienaber has insisted that his chosen 33-man squad will remain the same if there are no injuries in the squad.

Picture: News 24