South African Kyle Steyn named in Scotland squad to possibly face Springboks. Craig Watson - www.craigwatson.co.uk

South African Kyle Steyn has been named in Scotland’s squad. Photo: Craig Watson / www.craigwatson.co.uk.

Springboks’ Rugby World Cup rivals show their hand with 41-man squad

Four South Africans set to front Springboks at Rugby World Cup after being named in Scotland squad.

South African Kyle Steyn named in Scotland squad to possibly face Springboks. Craig Watson - www.craigwatson.co.uk

South African Kyle Steyn has been named in Scotland’s squad. Photo: Craig Watson / www.craigwatson.co.uk.

The Springboks’ Rugby World Cup pool B rivals, Scotland, have revealed their provisional 41-man training squad for the showpiece in France.

FOR THE LATEST RUGBY WORLD CUP 2023 NEWS VISIT THE SOUTH AFRICAN WEBSITE

Head coach Gregor Townsend has named an extended 41-player Scotland squad for this year’s Rugby World Cup

The group will be led by captain Jamie Ritchie and will be trimmed to the requisite 33-player list ahead of the tournament itself, which gets underway in France in September.

WHO ARE THE FOUR SAFFAS TO FACE SPRINGBOKS?

Props WP Nel and Pierre Schoeman, as well as backs Duhan van der Merwe (wing) and Kyle Steyn (utility back) have all been included in the extended squad.

And the quartet is more than likely to survive the cut when Townsend trims his group later this year.

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TIMELY RETURN FOR DUO

Of the 23 forwards selected by Townsend, flanker Rory Darge returns to the international set-up having missed the Guinness Six Nations through injury, with winger Darcy Graham also returning as one of 18 backs named, again having been unavailable through injury since the turn of the year.

A consistency of selection means that there are only two uncapped players in the training squad: second row Cameron Henderson and centre Stafford McDowall.

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Quartet set to play at third World Cup

There is plenty of experience with four players – Nel, Grant Gilchrist, Finn Russell and recent cap centurion Stuart Hogg – aiming to represent Scotland at a third Rugby World Cup (all featured in 2015 and 2019).

Overall, there are 17 players from Glasgow Warriors, 15 from Edinburgh Rugby and nine who ply their trade outside of Scotland.

The 41-player group will gather for an initial training camp on 29 May to begin preparations for warm-up matches in the Nations Series against France, Italy and Georgia at Murrayfield in July and August. Scotland also play France in an away warm-up in St. Etienne in August.

The Rugby World Cup itself will see Scotland compete in Pool B alongside the Springboks, Ireland, Tonga and Romania, with a first fixture against the world champion Springboks on Sunday 10 September in Marseille.

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Scotland training squad for Rugby World Cup 2023

Forwards (23) — Ewan Ashman, Jamie Bhatti, Dave Cherry, Andy Christie, Luke Crosbie, Scott Cummings, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey, Matt Fagerson, Zander Fagerson, Grant Gilchrist, Richie Gray, Cameron Henderson, Stuart McInally, WP Nel, Jamie Ritchie (c), Pierre Schoeman, Javan Sebastian, Sam Skinner, Rory Sutherland, George Turner, Murphy Walker, Hamish Watson.

Backs (18) — Jamie Dobie, Darcy Graham, Chris Harris, Adam Hastings, Ben Healy, Stuart Hogg, George Horne, Huw Jones, Blair Kinghorn, Stafford McDowall, Ali Price, Cameron Redpath, Finn Russell, Ollie Smith, Kyle Steyn, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe, Ben White.

SPRINGBOKS 2023 RWC FIXTURES:

Sunday, 10 September – Springboks v Scotland (Stade Velodrome, Marseille)
Sunday, 17 September – Boks v Romania (Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux)
Saturday, 23 September – Springboks v Ireland (Stade de France, Paris)
Sunday, 1 October – Boks v Tonga (Stade Velodrome, Marseille)

Weekend of 14/15 October – Quarter-finals
Weekend of 21/22 October – Semi-finals
Saturday, 28 October – Final

Springboks World Cup rivals Scotland reveal 41-man squad
The 41-man Scotland squad. Photo: Scottish Rugby via Twitter.