---
title: "Injuries dent critical Springbok squad RWC armour as Am, Pollard and De Jager miss out"
description: "Injury has resulted in the shock omission of Lukhanyo Am, Handre Pollard and Lood de Jager from the 2023 tournament."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "RUGBY"
author: "Craig Ray"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/craig-ray/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-08-08-kolisi-to-lead-rugby-world-cup-springbok-squad-but-critical-attack-trio-left-out/"
published: "2023-08-08T15:57:12"
updated: "2023-08-09T12:01:04"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 397
---

# Injuries dent critical Springbok squad RWC armour as Am, Pollard and De Jager miss out

> Injury has resulted in the shock omission of Lukhanyo Am, Handre Pollard and Lood de Jager from the 2023 tournament.

By Craig Ray · Published 8 August 2023, 17:57 SAST · Updated 9 August 2023, 14:01 SAST

## Key points
- Siya Kolisi will captain a 33-man Springbok squad for Rugby World Cup 2023, with shock omissions of Lukhanyo Am, Handre Pollard and Lood de Jager due to injuries - but they remain on standby in case of any changes.
- Siya Kolisi to lead Springbok squad at RWC 2023
- Lukhanyo Am, Handre Pollard and Lood de Jager sidelined due to injury
- 33-man squad announced by South African Rugby Union president Mark Alexander
- Developing story

## Content

Siya Kolisi will lead the [Springbok squad](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-08-06-springboks-2023-rugby-world-cup-squad-announcement/) at [Rugby World Cup 2023](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article_tag/rugby-world-cup/) but there were some shock omissions in the 33-man squad announced by [South African Rugby](https://www.sarugby.co.za/) Union president Mark Alexander.

The trio of Lukhanyo Am, [Handre Pollard](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-06-18-pollard-setback-challenges-bok-selection-strategy/) and Lood de Jager were surprisingly sidelined due to injuries. They have been placed on standby.

#### **Springbok RWC 2023 squad**

**Forwards:**

**Props:**Steven Kitshoff (Ulster – 74 caps, 10 points), Vincent Koch (Cell C Sharks – 45 caps, 0 points), Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers – 61 caps, 5 points), Ox Nche (Cell C Sharks – 19 caps, 0 points), Trevor Nyakane (Racing 92 – 61 caps, 5 points).

**Hookers:**Bongi Mbonambi (Cell C Sharks – 60 caps, 60 points), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears – 61 caps, 75 points).

**Locks:** Eben Etzebeth (Cell C Sharks – 112 caps, 25 points), Jean Kleyn (Munster – 2 caps, 0 points), Marvin Orie (Perpignan – 14 caps, 0 points), RG Snyman (Munster – 26 caps, 5 points).

**Loose Forwards:**Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz – 69 caps, 30 points), Siya Kolisi (captain – Racing 92 – 75 caps, 45 points), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs – 33 caps, 25 points), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls – 12 caps, 0 points), Duane Vermeulen (SA Rugby – 68 caps, 15 points), Jasper Wiese (Leicester – 22 caps, 5 points).

**Utility Forwards:** Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers – 7 caps, 0 points), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat – 65 caps, 15 points).

**Backs:**

**Scrumhalves:** Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles – 48 caps, 44 points), Jaden Hendrikse (Cell C Sharks – 12 caps, 12 points), Cobus Reinach (Montpelllier – 25 caps, 45 points), Grant Williams (Cell C Sharks – 4 caps, 0 points).

**Flyhalves:** Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers – 7 caps, 45 points), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers – 31 caps, 36 points).

**Centres:**Damian de Allende (Panasonic Wild Knights – 72 caps, 50 points), Andre Esterhuizen (Harlequins – 13 caps, 0 points), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles – 61 caps, 60 points).

**Outside Backs:** Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls – 9 caps, 50 points), Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath – 25 caps, 81 points), Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls – 86 caps, 65 points), Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks – 38 caps, 115 points), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls – 6 caps, 10 points).

**Read the full story:**[Injuries dent critical Springbok squad RWC armour as Am, Pollard and De Jager miss out](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-08-08-injuries-dent-critical-springbok-squad-rwc-armour-as-am-pollard-and-de-jager-miss-out/)